PAS confident of PN forming govt

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan today said that his statement on forming a government with Barisan Nasional (BN) after the Nov 19 polls had been taken out of context, describing it as an attempt to confuse voters ahead of the election. 

In a statement, he said he had full confidence that Perikatan Nasional (PN) would be able to form the government on its own, led by a prime minister from the coalition. 

"We believe that the people will be more confident in PN's theme of caring, stable and clean," he added. 

"So the issue does not arise about any statement regarding cooperation with BN, as we in PN are sure of forming the government alone after the 15th general election (GE15)."

Takiyiddin was reported as saying yesterday that he was confident that PN would be able to form the government in cooperation with other parties, in particular BN. 

He reportedly said that he believed BN would be accepting of such an alliance.

"I am sure that we will be able to form the federal government, whether on our own or through a coalition with other parties, including BN," he was quoted as saying after a programme in Kota Bharu. 

"What is for certain is that we will not accept Pakatan Harapan (PH), even if we need to work with others." 

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin has repeatedly said that BN will work with PH if it requires additional support in forming the government after GE15. 

He said BN lynchpin Umno would have no choice as it had chosen not to work with PN or Bersatu. 

"Zahid himself has said that he is ready to form an alliance with any party that works with Umno.

"But he rejected Bersatu at the Umno general assembly. Since he has done so, who is he likely to choose? PH?" Muhyiddin said at a ceramah in Indera Mahkota, Pahang, on Nov 10.

In a Twitter post today, Muhyiddin said Takiyuddin had not been instructed to negotiate the formation of a government with BN after the election. 

"PN is contesting GE15 to form a government without having to work in a coalition with BN or PH.

"I pray that with the will of Allah and solid support from the people, PN will win a sufficient number of seats to form the federal government and government of the states involved in GE15," he said.