(Kuala Lumpur, 2nd) Former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir pointed out that the Islamic Party (PAS) has not put forward a candidate for Prime Minister because the party is well aware that it has not yet gained sufficient support to form a government.
Speaking in an interview with Malaysiakini, he said that PAS knows that without wider support—especially support from areas outside of its traditional strongholds on the East Coast—it will not be able to win enough seats to enter Putrajaya.
He believes that if PAS announces a Prime Minister candidate too early, it may become even harder for the party to gain greater support in other states.
“PAS knows that, on its own, it cannot become Prime Minister. They need the support of other political parties nationwide.”
“The seats they have are not enough to form the federal government. So, they need to form alliances with other parties. That is why they have not named a Prime Minister candidate.”
Mahathir said that PAS can accept having several candidates under consideration and then later select the most suitable person.
“But they have to be cautious about announcing their Prime Minister candidate too early, out of fear that it may make it more difficult to gain support.”