PAS will not be joining prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government and will remain in opposition, Takiyuddin Hassan said, despite earlier indications the party would consider doing so.

The Islamist party’s secretary-general said the decision was reached after taking into consideration several views, including public opinion.

“PAS is of the opinion that it will not join the federal government led by Pakatan Harapan and DAP, in order to respect the trust and mandate of the majority of the people, especially those who  chose PAS and Perikatan Nasional in GE15,” he said in a brief statement on Facebook.

In an earlier statement Takiyuddin said his party will discuss it with the party’s PN allies in the near future. 

“We will also survey the views of the public, who gave encouraging support to PAS and PN in the general election.”

Yesterday PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition will not be joining the proposed unity government as it wanted to play the role of an effective opposition.

The PN chairman said this move was taken to strengthen the democracy in the country and to play the check-and-balance role for the government in parliament.

“PN will play its role as a capable opposition to represent the people’s voices in parliament and to ensure the government remains integrity and corruption-free,” he said in a statement. 

The Bersatu president however said the pact is ready to forge other forms of cooperation with the government to ensure political stability.

PN consists of Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan. 

Last Thursday, Anwar, 75, was sworn in before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, as the country’s 10th prime minister, bringing an end to the stalemate that ensued after there was no clear winner following last Saturday’s election. 

Soon after, Anwar said his government has the support of 30 Barisan Nasional MPs as well as 23 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak, six from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, three from Warisan, and one from Parti Bangsa Malaysia. 

Along with PH, the support of these lawmakers gives Anwar a “convincing” majority of 145 in the 222-seat parliament. – November 26, 2022.