PPBM-PAS to meet Thursday to set political landscape: Zaid Ibrahim

PETALING JAYA: The meeting between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and PAS on Thursday is expected to set the nation's political stage, says former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim (pix).
In his blogpost, today, Zaid described the effort by PPBM to forge a pact with PAS as political manoeuvring that he is unable to grasp.
"Feb 2 will be the date that will see whether PAS will cooperate with PPBM for the 14th General Election. While I am uncertain as to the type of alliance both parties are expected to forge, I hope that they will inform the public as to whether their endeavour succeeds or not," he said.
However, the former Kota Baru MP claimed that PPBM will not be able to guarantee that PAS will not field candidates in seats that Amanah, DAP and PKR are vying for in the next general election.
"Obviously Amanah and DAP will not be part of the discussion. Both parties to are like enemies to PAS and cannot be forgiven. For PAS, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is useless as they had demanded him to repent instead," he said.
As such, he questioned PPBM's motive to work with PAS despite the Islamic party's criticism of Mahathir who is also PPBM chairman.
"It seems that PPBM is fine with their leader being humiliated just because they want a 'straight fight' with Umno."
Zaid opined that from the meeting it is expected that PPBM would consider a straight fight with Umno as one where PAS does not contest and vice-versa.
"Therefore, PPBM would have no issue about PAS going up against Umno in three-cornered fights that involve Amanah, DAP or PKR.
"It does not matter for PPBM if three-cornered fights in Pakatan Harapan seats emerge as long as PPBM can secure its straight fights via separate deals with PAS and Pakatan Harapan," Zaid added.
His comments came after Mahathir had reportedly said a decision on the cooperation between PPBM and PAS will be made after Thursday.