PAS cut ties with Bersatu out of jealousy, says Ramasamy

PETALING JAYA: Urimai chairman P Ramasamy today suggested that PAS cut ties with Bersatu out of “fear and perhaps jealousy” that the outfit led by Muhyiddin Yassin would overshadow the Islamic party.

In a Facebook post, Ramasamy claimed PAS was concerned that Bersatu would continue to grow in influence and eclipse it if it did not sever ties.

Ramasamy, whose Urimai party is part of Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat, a loose coalition led by Muhyiddin, said while PAS might command stronger electoral support than Bersatu, its popularity was largely confined to certain states in Peninsular Malaysia.

Bersatu, on the other hand, has a national profile, he said.

Ramasamy also said Muhyiddin enjoyed far greater public acceptance than PAS leaders, while Bersatu had managed to attract support from both Malays and non-Malays.

“I think the real reason PAS severed ties with Bersatu is because of jealousy.

“Essentially, PAS wanted to ensure that Bersatu’s growing popularity was nipped in the bud,” he said.

PAS decided to cut ties with Bersatu on Monday, saying it would explore forming a new political pact to face upcoming elections with the goal of “uniting the ummah”.

Yesterday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said his party was obligated to cut ties with Bersatu as the latter had become greedy for seats and power rather than acting in the interest of the ummah’s unity.