BANGI: PAS’ decision to stay out of the anti-GST protest in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday contributed to its poor turnout, said Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
The PAS deputy president said although the issue on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was a pertinent one, the protest lacked a mobilisation strategy, unlike the demonstrations organised by the Islamist party.
“Looking at the turnout, it can be considered a failure. But it can be considered successful based on the issue they are championing.
“When people did not join the demonstration, it does not mean that they did not support it,” he said after launching Putrajaya PAS division annual general meeting here Sunday.
Earlier in his speech, Tuan Ibrahim said PAS’ decision to opt out from the fourth Bersih rally last year had proven that the party was an “expert” in mobilising supporters.
He said he had initially agreed to the Islamist party being part of the rally, despite having severed ties with DAP and a fallout with its former members, who have formed Parti Amanah Negara.
“But in the central committee meeting, the president advised us not to join, and we eventually agreed to it,” he said.
Tuan Ibrahim added that the decision by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang turned out to be a “blessing in disguise”.
“When the day (Bersih) came, less than 10% of Malay supporters joined the protest.
“Without PAS, the protest was a failure. We never realised that this was our strength all along,” he said.-thestaronline
