KOTA BARU: Pas can cooperate with any party as long as it does not go against any policy and the goal of the party's struggle.

Its vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah said Pas's position in political cooperation is based on the Quran which is 'help for the good and cultivate piety'.

Holding on to this principle, Amar, who is Kelantan State Assembly Speaker said any party is free to join or leave Perikatan Nasional.

"In the line with this stance, PN urges the government, especially the Education Ministry to be firm in dealing with the issue of an alcohol company's donation to schools for the benefit of future generations," he said.

The Panchor assemblyman was asked to comment on Gerakan's remarks that the party will not hesitate to quit PN.

On Sunday, Gerakan's deputy president Oh Tong Keong said the party will not hesitate to quit PN if its component parties do not respect the rights of non-Muslims.

Amid a row with Pas over school donations, he said Gerakan would not mind leaving PN to defend Chinese education, and if they have to submit to "unreasonable" demands by "certain parties".

He was responding to Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari's remarks over Gerakan's stance on the issue of an alcohol company's donation to schools.

Fadhli had described Gerakan's stance as "disappointing" and said it could affect the possibility of Pas working together with Gerakan in the next general election (GE16).

Oh said Gerakan has been consistent in its stance that alcohol or tobacco companies should not be prevented from donating funds to Chinese vernacular schools.

Gerakan reaffirms its strong support for the Chinese community's efforts to raise funds for Chinese education.

"Despite unreasonable threats from PN allies that there will be no further cooperation in the upcoming general election, we are ready to face them," Oh said in a statement.

Oh had said Gerakan quit Barisan Nasional in 2018 in protest to its "corrupt coalition partners".

Similarly, he had said if PN parties continue to display "extremism" and violate the rights of non-Muslims, Gerakan will quit the coalition.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/07/1083713/any-party-can-quit-pn-says-pas-man-over-gerakans-unhappiness-watch