PAS-MIC feud could put BN, Muafakat in a bind, say analysts

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 — The open quarrel between PAS and MIC might hurt Muafakat Nasional and Perikatan Nasional’s chances in mixed ethnicity seats at the next general election, according to political analysts.

Simmering tensions between the two supposed allies boiled over this month over the Islamist party’s mentri besar of Kedah’s decision to forego a state holiday for the Thaipusam religious festival.

While analysts said the dispute was unlikely to have a major influence in Malay majority seats where the Islamist party typically contests, it would affect both coalition’s push for victory in the 15th general election.

“PAS made a very unwise decision (to remove the public holiday), so, yes if including this particular issue (on top of previous issues) it will affect PAS’ chances in the coming general election,” Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geostrategist Professor Azmi Hassan


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