PETALING JAYA: A Bersatu leader has denied that his party is hanging on PAS’ coattails in the lead-up to the 15th general election (GE15).
Bersatu Supreme Council member Redzuan Yusof said it was harsh of former PAS Syura Council secretary Khairuddin Aman Razali to allege that Bersatu was leeching off PAS when the two parties held shared principles and were equal partners who “complement each other”.
Last August, Khairuddin called Bersatu “a small party” that depended on the strength of others.
Redzuan acknowledged that Bersatu placed some reliance on PAS’ grassroots given that the Islamic party was formed more than 70 years ago and Bersatu was formed only in 2016.
“But it’s clear that PAS wants to work with Bersatu moving forward,” he told FMT.
Last week, PAS announced that it would stick with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional for GE15, forgoing cooperation with Umno.
Redzuan said Bersatu and PAS each had unique qualities to strengthen PN, with Bersatu championing anti-corruption measures and PAS promoting Islamic values.
On the calibre of leaders in Bersatu, the former entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister said the party could count on the political experience of secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin and Supreme Council member Azmin Ali.
“We also have (Bersatu Youth chief) Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and (Bersatu Srikandi Muda chief) Nurul Fadzilah Kamaluddin,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Bersatu would not fade away should it perform poorly in GE15 as claimed by Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil.
Recently, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Man said his party believed that 43% of fence sitters voting for the first time would vote for Bersatu.
He denied allegations that Bersatu was with PAS only to make use of the Islamic party’s election machinery.
