malaysia
Kadir says Ikatan not joining PAS’s new political pact
Ikatan president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir says it is no official links to PAS despite their close ties. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 11, 2016.Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia has denied a PAS leader's claim that it is joining the Islamist party's new opposition bloc.
Ikatan president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir told The Star Online yesterday that it had no official links to PAS, despite their close ties.
“No, it is not true. Yes, we are very close to PAS but there is no formal relationship to speak of,” the former Umno minister was quoted as saying.
He said Ikatan did not receive any official invitation to join the new opposition pact, which PAS said yesterday would compete against both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next election.
Kadir also denied meeting with PAS leaders yesterday to discuss a partnership.
However, PAS Ulama Council chief Datuk Dr Khairuddin Aman Razali told Sinar Harian that Ikatan was expected to join forces with them.
He said PAS was also eyeing small East Malaysian parties and non-governmental organisations.
Launched on May 15 last year, Ikatan has positioned itself as a multi-racial political party that is neither pro-BN nor pro-opposition.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said yesterday the new opposition bloc was roping in a “multiracial party”, but would not be working with Umno.
He said PAS would sign a memorandum of understanding with the new multiracial party on March 16 at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. – March 11, 2016.
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