SHAH ALAM: The mandate given by the people in recent elections shows confidence that PAS can be in the Federal Government, says party secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.
In his welcoming speech at PAS' 69th muktamar (general assembly) here on Friday (Oct 20), the Kota Baru MP also said PAS taking over Putrajaya was not an unlikely scenario, nor was it too far off.
This was because the current administration had not been efficient in its governance, he added.
"The Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional leadership has failed to handle the people's issues.
"With our victories in Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu in the (Aug 12) state elections, this muktamar is... the most suitable base for delegates to (engage in) quality debates, (provide) criticism and (conduct a) post-mortem (of the party's performance) to ensure that we will be a better Opposition and effective state government," he added.
Takiyuddin said PAS still had a responsibility to the people despite being in the Opposition owing to the big mandate it received.
With 42 seats, PAS now has the most representation in the Dewan Rakyat of any single political party. Together with partner Bersatu, the Perikatan Nasional coalition has 72 seats.
"At state level, PAS now holds 46.8% of all state seats in the country," Takiyuddin added.
He attributed the success of the party and coalition to the leadership of Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Takiyuddin also said the muktamar was being held in solidarity with the Palestinians who are facing the "worst conflict in this century against the Zionist regime of Israel".
The three-day assembly will see about 5,000 delegates and observers attending.