VOTERS in Seri Serdang, a state seat held by PAS, are likely to reject the Islamist party at the 14^th general election because they consider it a “spoiler”.

This anger will to add to PAS’ woes after its fallout from the opposition pact – Pakatan Harapan – in the country’s richest state.

In the last elections, when PAS was part of the Pakatan Rakyat bloc consisting of PKR and DAP, it won by huge margins big in areas, such as the Seri Serdang state seat, which is part of the Puchong parliamentary constituency.

The sentiment on the ground towards PAS in Seri Serdang today is hostile following its decision to go solo at GE14 and act as a “spoiler” by triggering three-cornered fights with PH and Barisan Nasional.

Abdul Said Mohd Nasir is one of the angry voters who said PAS’ decision to cut ties with the opposition has lost the party a vote.

“PAS is no longer in PH. If PAS can win but its president (Abdul) Hadi Awang is such a difficult character compared with the late Nik (Abdul) Aziz Nik Mat,” Said, 72, told The Malaysian Insight at the PH-led Save Malaysia ceramah at the Taman Seri Serdang football field yesterday.

He is also scathing about the PAS assemblyman Noor Hanim Ismail, complaining that she is hardly seen in the area.

“The assemblyman only turns up occasionally and only during circumcision ceremonies.”

Hanim defeated Barisan Nasional’s Mohamad Yusof Mohamed Yasin by more than 16,000 votes at GE13.

The Seri Serdang seat is the parliamentary constituency of Puchong held by DAP vice-chairman Gobind Singh Deo.

PAS has said it will contest in 42 out of the 56 seats in Selangor, triggering three-cornered fights in the state.

Present at the Save Malaysia ceramah last night were Gobind, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, DAP publicity chief Tony Pua, Amanah deputy president Husam Musa and other PH Selangor leaders.

Hanim owed her victory to a majority of non-Malay voters who switched to PAS at GE13.

Baharuddin Kusni, 48, said if PAS contests on its own, it will be difficult for the party to retain the Seri Serdang seat.

“Before this I was 100% behing PAS. But now, PAS is directionless. We need to change and PAS won this seat on a PR ticket. If it contests on its own, it will sure lose,” he said.

A housewife who declined to be named said she is suspicious about its overtures to Umno.

“PAS is a spoiler… what is its real intention? PAS is trying to prevent others from contesting.”

Ahmad Hezril Hashim, 44, said PAS’ actions allowed opposition supporters to see its true colours.

“I am more with PH. I have more respect for DAP because if you compare with PAS, DAP is better.

“They (PAS) used to be in PR but now that they are out, it’s clearer. It’s easy for me to decide who to vote. PAS has no loyalty,” Hezril said, citing the example of PAS acting as spoiler in the Kota Damansara seat contested by PKR at GE13.

BN won the seat in the three-cornered fight.

“Look at the Kota Damansara seat. Voters became confused because PAS was in PR.

“If you look at PAS’ record whenever it contests on its own, it wins few seats in Selangor.”

Hadi said PAS aims to capture Selangor at GE14. In GE13, PAS and DAP won 15 seats in Selangor, PKR (14) and BN (12). – February 12, 2018.