PAS wants FT portfolio if PN takes over Putrajaya

KOTA BHARU: PAS is seeking to lead the federal territories department if Perikatan Nasional secures the government after the upcoming general election (GE16). During a discussion of the party president's policy speech at their 72nd muktamar in Kota Bharu, Abdul Rani Daud, a federal territories representative, stated that the portfolio should be a top priority for the party given the pressing urban socioeconomic issues they face.

He emphasized that with a mandate from the people to form the government, PAS must prioritize the federal territories department, and the party should be granted the mandate to provide leadership and expertise in this area. This would enable them to demonstrate how Islam addresses issues related to housing, urban poverty, public housing projects (PPR), hawkers, urban development, and societal wellbeing.

Currently, the federal territories department, which falls under the Prime Minister's Department, oversees the administration of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan. Hannah Yeoh, a DAP s MP for Segambut, currently holds this position. Abdul Rani also advocated for the federal territories PN chairmanship, currently occupied by Bersatu's Radzi Jidin, to be transferred to PAS.

He argued that this would enhance coordination and election preparations across the federal territories. PAS believes that giving the chairmanship to PAS would strengthen unity of action and readiness to face GE16, not merely for the sake of position, but as a responsibility to ensure PN's victory in the nation's center of power.