PAS is now officially leading a third force, Gagasan Sejahtera, to wrest power in the 14th general election.

This decision, formalised in a ceremony by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang last night will pit the third bloc against the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

Joining PAS in the third bloc are Parti Ikatan Malaysia (Ikatan), Berjasa and Parti Cinta Malaysia.

“PAS will contest as many seats as possible. God willing, we will win,” Hadi said at the Fastaqim, or uprising, where leaders from all four component parties were present.

Hadi also said he was heartened by the turnout, estimated at 200,000, and noted the number of youths present at the rally at Tok Jembal beach, Kuala Terengganu, where the party also announced its manifesto “Wawasan Negara Sejahtera”.

Two “tokoh negara” (national figures) – former Road Transport Department director Abdul Rahim Che Daud and former deputy Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Zakaria Jaafar – also showed their support for the party on stage.

However, their presence also caused confusion as many thought they had joined the party.

“I am not joining PAS, merely expressing my support and advising on issues related to corruption.

“There might have been some misunderstandings here, but I am open to discussions,” Zakaria said after the ceremony.

PAS had earlier said that two or three former prominent leaders would join the party at the Fastaqim.

The formal announcement ended months of uncertainty on whether PAS will be willing to engage in multi-cornered fights with Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH).

At last night’s Fastaqim, or uprising, Hadi said the party has been facing various tests since the 1950s.

“We choose democracy because it is the best way to govern the country,” he said.

He also mentioned disagreements with former partners, whom he did not name.

“The beer festival disrupted the communal spirit. They did not consider the feelings of those who may be affected by such events,” said Hadi, referring to the festival which was cancelled in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor due to security threats.

The Fastaqim saw tens of thousands of supporters waving the party flag, coordinated by section volunteers to live singing performances including the party anthem.

Analysts believe that PAS is expected to contest at least 83 seats in Peninsular Malaysia or as many as 140 seats nationwide.  

The Islamist party, the country’s second largest by membership, controls 15 parliamentary seats and 78 state seats.

PAS was a member of Pakatan Rakyat which also comprised PKR and DAP.

PAS election director Shamsuri Ahmad said the party would not forget its partners.

“In this political climate, there are all sorts of political groups.

“All these are partnerships of convenience. We are serious on making partnerships with groups, ulamas and people at the grassroots level.”

“PAS is virtuous. They lead the struggle against moral degeneracy.

“The 14th general election will be called in any moment. This election will see all sorts of attacks against PAS and her partners in Gagasan. There will be all sorts of lies.”

Ikatan president Abdul Khadir Sheikh Fadzir said PAS’ strength must not be underestimated.

“DAP used to say PAS is a nobody. But if you multiply DAP’s members by four, it would not even be half of PAS’ strength.”

“All these parties have their ideas of who should be prime minister, but they don’t have the numbers like PAS does.”

Abdul Khadir said PAS’ former partners always sought to control the Islamist party through the facade of meritocracy and civil society.

“That is they control you, by saying this cannot be done and that cannot be done because it violates ‘human rights.’

Berjasa deputy president Hashim Abdul Karim said PAS critics would not underestimate the party after tonight.

“People used to laugh when we mention the word third force. We should leave it to God in such matters. Tonight, behold, we are a third force.

“We will come down to help PAS where we can.”

Parti Cinta Malaysia deputy president Huan Cheng Guan, said “There are 200,000 people here. I’m from Penang. If there are 200,000 of you, Lim Guan Eng would be scared. You should come to Penang.”

“The DAP secretary-general himself is corrupt unlike those in PAS,” he added.

“The Chinese in the DAP are all crazy. They’re Christian evangelicals you know. I’m Taoist,” he said. – September 30, 2017.