PETALING JAYA: Pas will forever remain an opposition party given the poor strength it and Barisan Nasional have, claimed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Muhyiddin said this in response to a statement by Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Akmar Abdullah, in which he claimed that Pakatan Harapan could fall within the next five years due to internal strife.
Muhyiddin also said the Islamic party had turned down an opportunity to leave the opposition by declining to work with PH.
“It is normal. It (Pas) is the opposition. Pas will be the opposition forever.
“We used to the opposition before, but I once said that (PH) does not wish to be the opposition for a long time.
“Alhamdulillah (Thanks be to God), Allah gave us the way to win (the 14th General Election) and become the government.
“Pas is envious. We did discuss with them to join us (PH) but they refused because they wanted to uphold Islam.
“Our struggle is also based on Islam, too. We want to establish a good government, curb corruption, build a bright future and manage the nation’s economy well.
“If they claim that we will only not survive five years, that is incorrect,” he told reporters at Bersatu’s headquarters here today.
Akmar was today quoted by Malay daily Sinar Harian as saying that it was not impossible for PH to crumble within the next five years.
Akmar, who is also deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar, said this was due to the serious internal problems faced by PKR, Bersatu and DAP.
Akmar claimed that the component parties had no common understanding among themselves as they merely banded together to defeat Barisan Nasional in GE14.
Muhyiddin, however, pointed out that Akmar’s statement showed that Pas was out of touch with reality, adding that it was BN that was mired in internal conflict.
He pointed out that BN, which once had 13 component parties, had been reduced to only three parties - Umno, MCA and MIC.
“From 13, now three, that (BN) is now lifeless. With no position, Umno has become divided.
“Even if the remaining BN component parties cooperate with Pas, PH’s position is more firm.
“I do not think Pas would win. It is more likely that PH would last with our efforts and the people’s backing,” Muhyiddin said.
