In a significant political move, the Islamic party PAS has signalled its intention to contest in the upcoming Sabah state assembly elections, marking a strategic shift aimed at strengthening its bid for federal power in the next general election. This announcement was made by the party's president, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, during the Sabah PAS convention held in Kota Kinabalu.
Hadi emphasised the importance of winning seats in Sabah to boost PAS's presence at the federal level. He noted that while PAS had refrained from contesting in the 2022 parliamentary elections in Sabah, instead choosing to support its allies within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, the situation might change with the approaching state assembly elections.
Speaking to party members, Hadi highlighted that the number of seats PAS would contest in the state assembly elections would depend on the strength of the party’s machinery in Sabah and the outcomes of discussions with its coalition partners. “We don’t even know when the elections will be held,” he remarked, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the election date. The current term of the Sabah state assembly is set to expire in October next year, with elections required to be held within 60 days thereafter.
Looking beyond the state elections, Hadi also set his sights on the next general election, which must be held by 2027. He urged voters to give PAS a chance to lead the government, asserting that the party could form a government either independently or in collaboration with other parties within the coalition. He framed this potential leadership as an opportunity to liberate the country without reliance on external forces.
When asked about PAS's relationship with its PN partners in Sabah, Hadi stressed the importance of acknowledging the multicultural fabric of Sabah's society. He highlighted that Muslims, who constitute the majority in the state, come from various ethnic backgrounds, which adds to the region's diversity.
Currently, PAS claims to have 20,000 members in Sabah, with significant concentrations in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau. This figure is a crucial element in the party's strategy as it looks to strengthen its political base in the state.
According to a 2018 population report, Muslims made up nearly two-thirds of Sabah’s population, followed by Christians (26.6%) and Buddhists (6.1%). This demographic composition could play a pivotal role in PAS's election strategy as the party navigates the complexities of Sabah's diverse electorate.
PAS’s plan to contest in Sabah represents a broader strategy within Perikatan Nasional, a coalition that includes Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, the Sabah Progressive Party, and the Malaysian Indian People’s Party.
As the political landscape in Malaysia continues to evolve, Sabah could emerge as a crucial battleground in PAS's quest for federal power, with Hadi Awang at the helm of this ambitious campaign.
By: Kpost
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