GE15: Pas seats, candidates depend on discussions with PN

KUANTAN - The number of seats and candidates for the Parliamentary and State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats in Pahang for the 15th General Election (GE15) will be decided depending on the outcome of the discussions with Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Pas Deputy President Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Pas was registered as a component of PN and would be with the coalition to face GE15 in Pahang.

He said the relationship between Pahang Pas and the state government was still good but there had been no discussion regarding the election with Umno Pahang so far.

"Pas still supports the unification of the ummah but Umno has decided to move solo.

"If Umno stays with that stance, we will be with PN but the door to cooperation is still open for the unification of the ummah," he said in a press conference in conjunction with Himpunan Hijau 3.0 or Himpunan 20K (H20K) at Pantai Sepat here, on Sunday.

Also present were Pas Vice President Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and Pahang Pas Commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar.

Tuan Ibrahim said Pas did not put a time frame for Muafakat Nasional (MN) but was unable to wait for cooperation if the election date was fast approaching.

"The MN’s framework needs to be comprehensive and not only involve specific states. We can’t collude in Pahang but collide in other states.

"If we are going to collaborate, we need to collaborate with the whole country because it needs to be seen in a bigger framework to face the election," he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said Pas and PN were now ready as the alliance was launched in Kelantan and Terengganu before going to other states including Pahang.

"MN’s cooperation is up to Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) because our foundation is still to defend the unification of the ummah.

"Ummah needs to be united because that is our purpose, only in a political context does it depends on all three parties.

"If Umno says they want to move solo, we are ready to deal with it but if they change their mind, it will be discussed later," he said.

However, Tuan Ibrahim said the unification of the ummah in the context of MN should remain.

"If it were not for political consolidation and elections, it should be a platform for the unification of the ummah.

"It feels like there is no issue if everyone can accept it because Pas has had experience with various parties before. We know the scenario and most importantly there should be a unifying platform," he said.

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said, H20K is a platform to gather machinery and party members to see the strength of Pas in Pahang.

"The new spirit shown by all the machinery, members and supporters of Pas at all levels is seen as the driving force to prepare for GE15 in line with the theme of H20K, Pas Terajui Pahang," he said.

In the meantime, Tuan Ibrahim attracted the attention of the audience when he auctioned a marble ring for the GE15 fund.

The ring he once owned was auctioned for the same purpose in GE14 which was successfully owned by an individual, the highest bidder at the time.

The jewellery was auctioned back with a bid value starting from RM100 and successfully attracted bidders until it reached a bid value of RM6,000 before being raised to RM10,000.

Finally, the highest bidder was himself, and the ring was returned to its original owner.