KOTA BHARU – The absence of PAS in the Sabah state election is a political strategy as well as an effort to strengthen cooperation in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, said PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
He said although some were disappointed, Sabah PAS leaders and members in general had accepted the decision to give way to their allies to contest in the snap election.
“…we want to avoid the traps set by our (political) enemies because if we were to contest, clashes might occur among us that would adversely affect the coalition,” he told reporters after officiating at the 61st PAS Youth Assembly at the Kelantan Islamic Education Centre in Pengkalan Chepa, near here Sept 12.
Previously PAS had stated its intention to contest in 10 seats in the 16th Sabah state election.
Yesterday, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was reported as saying that the party respected the decision of its allies in Sabah to contest in all 73 constituencies after the negotiations were finalised.
The nomination of candidates for the Sabah state election took place today while polling day is fixed on Sept 26.
— BERNAMA
