KOTA BARU: PAS will allow its non-Muslim candidates to use the party’s symbol in the 13th general election, president Abdul Hadi Awang said today.
He said PAS will only field non-Muslim candidates in areas where non-Muslims form the majority, and the seats will be identified later.
“What we are sure and it’s been decided is that our non-Muslim candidates will not contest in areas allocated to our Pakatan Rakyat partners, in particular PKR,” he told reporters after his opening address at the 56th PAS “muktamar” (assembly) here this morning.
“Non-Muslim candidates contesting on PAS ticket is not new. We did it in the last election too,” he said, adding that the criteria is that they must accept the party’s struggle and possess good character.
He said the decision to allow non-Muslim candidates to use the PAS symbol was in line with the party’s decision to upgrade the non-Muslim wing to the status of congress alongside its Youth and Women's wings.
“This year, the non-Muslim representatives are here as observers, next year they will become delegates at the party convention,” he added.
Hadi also explained that there was no need for PAS to amend its constitution to effect the upgrading of the non-Muslim wing.
Responding to a question on defections, he said: “Not a single PAS member has defected. We are confident none will, including our non-Muslim members.”
Asked about PAS' role in Pakatan, he said the party shared a collective voice.
He said the non-Muslims have begun to understand PAS, citing DAP’s efforts in the Kuala Terengganu by-election and PAS' support of DAP in the Sibu by-election.
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