PAS not in a rush to join Dr Mahathir's opposition pact - Hadi

PAS is not in a hurry to make a decision about joining the new opposition pact proposed by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

He said he viewed the new pact as chaotic as it was only aimed at toppling the current government which contradicted PAS's stand of changing the 'character' of the government to become better.

"PAS has a central committee, a political committee and the Majlis Syura Ulama (Ulama Council) which will look in detail whether to join the pact or not.

"I also cannot comment much as it does not exist yet, the pact does not exist, we do not know if it will be allowed by the government or not," he told reporters after his weekly religious class in Rusila here today.

Yesterday, Tun Dr Mahathir announced that a new opposition pact will be formed which will include a new party, PKR, DAP and Amanah to fight the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming 14th general election.

Among those who are said to be interested in the new party are former UMNO Deputy President Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin; former UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and former Kedah Menteri Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir.

Asked about the statement by PAS Deputy President Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that the party would revive ties with PKR and DAP to ensure victory in the coming election, Abdul Hadi said PAS always had good relations with everyone, including the government.

He added that PAS would only work with parties that want progressive changes and supported its policies and struggle to uphold Islamic principles in the country.

On the hudud Bill he tabled in Parliament recently, he said PAS could see there was support from various parties and it would not work with any party which opposed the bill.