AFTER being called a “lost party” by former ally DAP, PAS said it does not need to take lessons from the “chauvinistic party”.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the Islamist party did not need DAP to decide on its direction.

He said PAS had a clear policy, without having to compromise; and its approach was according to the times.

“We are committed towards democracy and healthy and constructive politics. We reject combative, rash and destructive politics like what DAP practises.

“Whether as a government or an opposition party, PAS is ready to face the people’s decision in the coming general election,” he said in a statement today.

“DAP can continue with its chauvinistic policy and pretence as an Islamic-friendly party as its approach in facing the next polls.

“The people will surely be able to assess DAP’s attitude and its true designs to make use of anyone for power.”

Takiyuddin said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng should also focus on his own party’s internal problems rather than judging PAS.

He said Lim needed to be reminded that DAP had lost several elected reps and would be losing a few more by the end of the term.

The PAS leader also said DAP’s “childish” and “gangster-like” politics would also cause the party votes among Malay and non-Malay voters alike.

“The fights between the DAP leadership and leaders of other Chinese-based parties is a classic example of this sort of attitude,” he said.

Takiyuddin also suggested not all was well within DAP, saying that the party’s internal polls in November last year to elect its central executive committee was poorly attended.

“It is another clear evidence as only half the delegates turned up. The votes won by the successful leaders were less than before.

“It raises the question on whether there is true democracy,” he said.

Takiyuddin then dragged in Guan Eng’s father, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

He cited how former Jawi rep Tan Beng Huat, who recently quit DAP, had called the senior Lim “a dictator bent on building a political dynasty”.

Takiyuddin did not specify in his statement what exactly he was responding to, but it was likely he was addressing the “lost party” comment by Guan Eng.

The Penang chief minister yesterday said PAS had become so lost a party that it was praised by Umno, referring to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s praise for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

He also said PAS was no longer a serious opposition party.

Guan Eng said this when commenting on Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar’s decision to quit PAS to fully support Pakatan Harapan (PH).

PAS broke ties with DAP in 2015 and PKR last year, ending the old coalition Pakatan Rakyat.

PAS now has its own coalition, Gagasan Sejahtera; while its old partners have formed the PH coalition with Bersatu and PAS splinter party Amanah.

Although PAS has no formal cooperation with Umno, the Islamist party is often bashed by PH for its “friendly” attitude towards the BN lynchpin party. – January 2, 2018.