An iconic stone painted with the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia or PAS colors and adorned with the party’s symbol, dedicated to the Islamists in the state of Kelantan which the party has controlled for decades, has changed hands.
According to several WhatsApp messages and blogs, the stone is now adorned with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s party’s logo and colors (see picture).
Mahathir left the UMNO to create a new party better known as the Bersatu.
Local bloggers who are seen as influential within the pro-PAS and Malay community highlighted the change of ‘ownership’ of the block of cement is indicative of a form of protest against party leader Abdul Hadi Awang.
They said this is a sign the sentiments are turning against the PAS in the northern state that borders Thailand.
The PAS won all the elections in Kelantan since 1990, after a brief hiatus that ended its rule in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
The iconic stone is located in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) Pengkalan Pasir, under the Parliamentary seat of Pasir Mas Kelantan.
The change of colors in favor of Mahathir’s party is a surprise to many since Mahathir was not so popular in the state in the past.
But the winds of change may have sailed to some parts of Kelantan, and Mahathir’s party along with the opposition coalition the Pakatan Harapan may turn the tides in their favor.
But this can only happen if the PAS and Prime Minister Najib Razak’s UMNO declares an official union for the next General Elections.
In that case, the state will see a 2-way fight.
In the event of a PAS versus UMNO and Pakatan situation, the UMNO, it is said might pip the two other parties and win the state for the first time in decades!