Hadi says PAS still opposed to early GE

PAS today reiterated its stand against an early dissolution of Parliament, a day after Umno said it had given the Islamist party three conditions to be met for any return to the negotiation table ahead of the general election. 

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said dissolving Parliament now would be inappropriate, and that there was no rush given the economic situation and the floods expected during the year-end monsoon season. 

"PAS will continue its talks and negotiations with all quarters – political parties, NGOs, academics, and community leaders – towards the success of the ummah unity agenda, in order to reach common ground and avoid clashes with each other, thereby defeating Pakatan Harapan.

"PAS is of the position that, in any situation, the interests of the country and the people should come first, in addition to the economic recovery measures that should be continuously supported, especially through the 2023 Budget to be presented," he said in a statement. 

PAS has repeatedly stated its opposition to an early election, in contrast to certain segments of Umno which have been pressuring Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to dissolve Parliament ahead of the expiry of its term next year. 

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that his party would only continue negotiations with PAS for cooperation at the 15th general election if it met three conditions recently conveyed to Hadi. 

"They (PAS) are aware of the conditions, and only when they fulfil those terms, can negotiations proceed," he said.

"As long as PAS does not make an official decision, we will not be able to resolve the issues and differences between the two parties."