SHAH ALAM: All PAS’ elected representatives must not give the excuse of “no allocation” to not serve the people, said PAS national election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
The Kedah Mentri Besar said that this is because PAS won big in the past elections not only due to the support from party members but with the votes from those who are disinterested in political parties.
Sanusi said this during his winding up speech on the last day of the PAS’ 69th Muktamar at the IDCC Convention Centre here on Sunday (Oct 22).
“Don’t make the excuse of ‘no money’ to not open up service centres once you are elected," said Sanusi to about 5,000 delegates and observers.
The issue of no allocation to opposition elected representatives in states under Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional has been a much-debated issue.
In Perikatan Nasional's states of Kedah, Kelantan and Perlis, opposition representatives were, however, provided allocation.
“Even if you only own a battered Pajero with a smoking engine and no cushion springs and have to sell laksa, open the service centre and attend to your constituents.
“PAS is a kingmaker now in the national political landscape.
“As the party with the biggest number of seats, now is an important consideration in every political decision taken by all, be they government or opposition.
“The national politics now is different as voters are no longer merely party members or interested in joining any political party.
“The traditional support of PAS has now evolved and PAS must step out of its grounds and climb over the fences to woo the voters who are no more party members or disinterested in party politics,” said Sanusi.
He said that if such an attitude is taken by all PAS’ elected representatives nationwide, it is possible for PAS to wrest Perak or Pahang in the next general election.
He also lamented that during elections, there are usually frictions between elected representatives’ service centres and PAS local divisions which affect election machinery.
“What usually happens during elections is that there will be friction between the service centres and PAS divisions but both entities are equally important to win the party in the elections.
“State PAS too should not leave PAS elected representatives on their own after being elected as it is important to continue supporting the works on the ground,” said Sanusi.
Meanwhile, Central PAS Information Chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said that PAS’ elected representatives must do more to get the party’s policies across to the masses on the ground.
“Those who have been elected as the Members of Parliament and state assemblymen must be able to articulate their ideas and policies of the party to the masses by appointing the right media personnel.
“Some have failed to communicate party policies to the voters after elections, disappointing the voters who voted for them.
He cited the example of the importance of the State Government 4 (SG4) cooperation between the Perikatan-run states of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu.
“The MPs and state assemblymen should work together with the party divisions to ensure whatever decisions made in terms of economic and socio-political for the four states are filtered to the ground with the right information,” said Khairil.
PAS’ 69th Muktamar, which saw the attendance of 5,000 delegates and observers, ends today (Oct 22).
