PAS will contest more than 130 parliamentary seats in the 14th general election (GE14), said its president, Abdul Hadi Awang, in the clearest sign the Islamist party was aiming for Putrajaya.

This was in contrast to PAS leaders’ previous statements that described the party as a kingmaker that wanted to influence the formation of any future government by winning 40 parliamentary seats.

“We are aiming for more than 130 parliamentary seats so that we can win with a simple majority,” Hadi said after the Fastaqim 2.4 rally to launch PAS Selangor’s election machinery in Shah Alam today.

“We either want to form the government or we want to join the government that is formed,” said Hadi, adding it would contest GE14 as part of the Gagasan Sejahtera Rakyat coalition.

He said PAS also aimed to take over the Selangor government but declined to reveal how many of the 56 state seats the party would contest. 

“As much as possible, we want to take over Selangor or create change in Selangor. The first is to lead and the second is to create change or be in a position to make a change.”

PAS is in the Selangor government with DAP and PKR but is expected to face the two parties in GE14.  

“As for how much we are aiming, you will have to wait till nomination day (to find out),” Hadi said in response to questions on how many of Selangor’s state seats the party will contest.

Although it wants to take over Selangor, PAS said it will not name its menteri besar candidate.

“The problem is if we announce the name now and he loses in the election. That’s not right. The election here is not like in the United States. We will wait until after the election (to name the menteri besar).”  – January 21, 2018.