PAS needs to overcome barriers with non-Muslims, Hadi says

PAS needs to overcome the barriers between the party and non-Muslims in a wise manner, its president Abdul Hadi Awang says.

He said apart from Malay-Muslim parties, PAS should also approach and collaborate with non-Muslim parties and NGOs through the PAS Supporters' Congress (DHPP).

"PAS today has DHPP. DHPP must play a role among the non-Muslims. Look for parties, look for NGOs including those that are run by non-Muslims, but don't look for those who are at odds with us," he said in his closing speech at the 68th PAS Muktamar or annual general assembly in Alor Setar yesterday.

He said PAS also needed to reach out to non-Muslim voters, especially those who do not have any party affiliation, to vote for Muslim candidates.

"If DAP can nominate Indian candidates in Chinese areas, why can't we attract the Chinese community to support us during the general election? This is a weakness we need to overcome," he said.
 
Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hasan, when met by reporters after the meeting, confirmed that negotiations on the Muafakat Nasional pact with Umno were being discussed officially and unofficially at "certain levels".

"When we discuss with Umno, it’s not necessarily with certain leaders. It might lead to that direction, but as usual, we hold discussions at certain levels, which we do not need to disclose," he said.

On Sept 3, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan was reported to have said that there were no Umno leaders currently engaged in discussions with PAS as alleged by Hadi.