Kit Siang invited us to join govt, PAS tells Zahid

PAS today called out Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying he did not do his homework when responding to claims that offers were made to the Islamist party to join the coalition government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin revealed in a statement that DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang had invited the party to join the coalition government as it was in precarious circumstances and Umno no longer had the support of the Malays.

"Zahid needs to stop deceiving Umno members and the people. The biggest deception is not joining forces with DAP and Anwar Ibrahim, but joining the party that Umno members have despised for so long," he said.

On Sunday, Zahid hit out at a statement by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang who claimed that "some people" had suggested the Islamic party be a part of the government.

"(Hadi) should not be too hopeful to the point of assuming that (PAS) will be offered to join the unity government," he said.

On May 15, Lim suggested that the coalition government would be willing to cooperate with PAS ahead of the elections to be held in six states.

A study conducted by research firm O2 in collaboration with several media organisations previously found that 71% of Malay respondents were dissatisfied with the new government for failing to fulfil the promises made in its manifesto for the 15th general election.

Analyst Bridget Welsh meanwhile said that Malay support for Pakatan Harapan (PH) stood at 11%. Anwar had dismissed these findings, citing a survey by his party PKR which put Malay support for PH at 31%.