PAS to possibly field non-Muslims this state election

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MIRI: Sarawak PAS will possibly field non-Muslim candidates in the upcoming state election though the final decision is still at the discussion level in the party’s top leadership.

Its deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said several non-Muslim candidates had been identified to stand under PAS ticket including in the new seats this election

“We have fielded non-Muslim candidates under PAS ticket for the general elections in the Peninsula. It is possibly the first time for non-Muslim candidates to be fielded in several seats in this state election predicted to be held in March next year,” he told the media on Saturday.

Moreover, he said PAS would field 100 per cent home-grown candidates and local Sarawakians to fight for the seats in the coming state election.

“It is not official yet. However, we are heading towards that direction especially with the additional new seats.

“We have already deployed the election machinery for the upcoming state election,” he added.

Ibrahim also said PAS was still working with PKR at the federal level.

“In some areas, PAS and PKR will have to move together,” he said, adding that this was the first time PAS top leaders were coming to Sarawak to discuss the state election issue.

They are here to attend the launching ceremony of two new PAS centres in the state – Limbang and Sibuti – making 11 centres in all.

“We hope to set up 14 centres in Sarawak in the near future especially with the overwhelming response and support from the youth,” he said.

Earlier in the day state PAS held a closed-door convention which was attended by some 300 members.

On a related matter state PAS secretary Mukhtar Suhaili said they were eyeing Lambir seat in the upcoming state election.

“Although, the candidate for the seat has yet to be disclosed, PAS will give an extra focus on Lambir seat to ensure victory.”

“We have been going to the ground meeting the people at longhouses in the rural areas and the response from them is positive, and hopefully it is a good sign for PAS,” he said.

Mukhtar said Islam was a peaceful religion and thus PAS was an open party, taking peaceful approaches and practices in mature politics.

This openness was shown by PAS top leaders’ visit led by its president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, to St Columba’ Church here yesterday.

Mukhtar said the visit showed that PAS was not an extremist party where their top leadership and church members had the opportunity to share viewpoints and discussion with the aim to strengthen the relationship among the multi-religious people of the state.

Datuk Dr Nik Muhamad Zawawi and PAS Sarawak Commissioner Jofri Jaraiee were also present.