Pejuang man slams call for PAS to cede a third of seats to Umno

Rafique Rashid Ali, the Pejuang information chief, has criticized a proposal suggesting that the Islamic party PAS should allocate a third of the seats in the four states under its governance to Umno if the two parties intend to continue collaborating in future elections. Ali argued that uniting the ummah is not solely about the number of seats each party secures; it also necessitates a clear set of principles, shared policies, and a mutual respect for differences between the parties.

Ali questioned the rationale behind announcing the one-third seat formula before negotiations are concluded, emphasizing that if the aim is genuine cooperation, the specific nature of that cooperation must be evident. He posed questions regarding the form of unity being sought - electoral cooperation, power-sharing in government, or an understanding of particular policies - asserting that these aspects must be clarified before the number of seats becomes a gauge of sincerity.

Pejuang belongs to Perikatan Nasional, where PAS currently holds the chairmanship. Nur Jazlan Mohamed, a member of Umno's Supreme Council, put forth the one-third seat proposal, contending that PAS does not need to contest every seat in Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis. He claimed that securing two-thirds of the seats would suffice, citing how Barisan Nasional's two-thirds majority in Johor during the 2022 elections bolstered investor confidence.

Ali sought clarification on whether Nur Jazlan's proposal reflected his personal perspective or that of Umno as an organization. He also pointed out that the states of Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis possess distinct electoral histories and political contexts, suggesting that a uniform seat-allocation formula might not be appropriate for all of them.

Ali concluded that while politics inevitably involves negotiations, effective negotiations necessitate clarity rather than mere demands made publicly.