DESPITE contesting against both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election, PAS is still willing to form a government with either if there is a hung parliament.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang said PAS is willing to contribute whatever parliamentary seats it won to a future government on one condition – that they accept its brand of Islam.

However, Hadi stressed that the party is still aiming to form a government of its own by contesting about 150 parliamentary seats.

“If we are the kingmaker with 40 seats, then PAS is willing to work with others to form a government on the condition that they accept Islam,” Hadi said at a ceramah in Binjai Rendah.

“If BN can (accept this condition), we will be with them. If PH does the same, we are also ready to work with them.”

And in the event no one wants to join up with PAS, the Islamist party is ready to become an opposition party in the Dewan Rakyat.

PAS, which has 15 parliamentary seats, is contesting against both BN and PH. Analysts said historically whenever two opposition parties face BN, it benefits the latter as the non-BN vote is split.

Throughout PAS’ history, it has worked with both BN in 1974 and Pakatan Harapan parties PKR and DAP from 1999 to 2014. It ended ties with PKR and DAP in 2016.

At present, Hadi said, BN is not interested to bring PAS’ contentious RUU 355 to Parliament to enhance shariah punishments. PH, meanwhile, has parties opposed to the bill. – April 29, 2018.