Perak DAP has urged PAS to quit being stubborn and accept the state's Pakatan Harapan's offer for the Islamic party to contest in the Kuala Kangsar by-election in exchange for conceding the Sungai Besar seat to Amanah.
Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming said this is in the interest of ensuring a straight fight with Umno in both seats, for which the by-elections will take place on June 18.
"PAS should be rational and not be stubborn so that a one-on-one contest can be achieved in the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections.
"If PAS is serious about defeating Umno, PAS should consider accepting the offer with an open heart instead of being arrogant and telling other parties to measure their own capabilities," Nga said in a statement today.
Both seats have been traditionally contested by PAS and Umno but with the former no longer part of Pakatan Harapan, the opposition coalition is mulling to field its own candidate.
Three-cornered fight if PAS refuses
PAS has insisted that other parties should stay out, for it to be the only opposition party to take on Umno.
Nga warned of three-cornered fights if PAS refused to negotiate, adding that such fights would ultimately benefit Umno.
"PAS will be seen as being in cahoots with Umno in hurting the opposition coalition," he said.
The two by-elections would be a referendum on the prime minister's 1MDB and "donation" scandals, he added.
Meanwhile, Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa said his party, by convention, should field candidates in the traditional seats of PAS.
Mujahid said this when asked who should be fielded in the twin by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar.
"It is convention that any seat that PAS contests, Amanah should be there," he said when met at Parliament building.
"For an example, in Penang, when we formed Pakatan Harapan. All the seats lost by PAS have been taken by Amanah. And, this is conventionally understood," Mujahid (photo) said.
"This by-election is a miniature of the coming general election, which will depict the very clear picture of Harapan versus BN. That cannot be achieved unless we go in."
"The other perspective is whether we consider PAS as part of Harapan or just opposition. I would say give priority to Harapan, rather than that of the opposition," he said.
If things do not happen like that, he said, it would not serve the purpose of the formation of Harapan.
"It is not a battle Amanah (has to take), but it is a battle and Harapan has to take a stand on the issue," he added.
Mujahid said the people have to come to the realisation that the only winnable battle in the coming general election will be between Harapan and BN.
Asked about political analysts being sceptical about Amanah - that it has yet to establish a political branding to capture the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar seats - he said Amanah may be a new party, but those who moved it have branding among the voters.
