KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 — The Arau parliamentary seat in Perlis has always been an Umno stronghold, but Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim has no issues with PAS taking over if the party wins in the 15th general election (GE15).

After being left out of Umno’s candidate line-up, Shahidan is defending the Arau seat that he has held for four terms on a PAS ticket under Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“There is no problem (in PAS governing Perlis), PAS is Bumiputera Islam,” Shahidan was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insight.

The incumbent Arau MP believes that Umno dropped him as a candidate because of his belief in uniting the Muslim community in multiracial Malaysia, or what is referred to as the ummah.

He said Umno’s decision did not match the true sentiments of the voters and the grassroots.

“I agree, (and) PAS agrees with ummah unity. Only Umno leaders disagree, but the people agree. Umno grassroots support ummah unity,” said Shahidan.

When asked to comment on reports of youth clad in black shirts featuring his photo, Shahidan said this proved that he was always the driving force behind youth support, not Umno.

“I don’t need to talk (about support), these are all young people. After all this time, they still don’t know Umno, they only know Shahidan.

“For more than four years, they (Umno) have never helped me,” Shahidan said.

His goal in GE15 is to ultimately end BN's dominance in Perlis, and for the state to follow Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu’s footsteps to be controlled by PAS.

“God willing, we pray PN will succeed in ruling this country, but most importantly, that PN will capture Perlis. One vote for PN is one vote for ummah unity,” Shahidan said.

For PAS and PN, they see Shahidan’s influence in Perlis politics as the deciding factor that will secure them a state victory.

“I see that he has many followers who are loyal to him. These young people show that he has many supporters. He won because of his great grassroots support,” PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said.

PN needs to win at least eight seats to form the state government, and they are confident of six seats, with two others relying on Shahidan’s influence.

“Out of nine (that) we are contesting, if we can achieve six wins, if Bersatu wins some, we can form a state government together.

“We lost the Simpang Empat state assembly in GE14, but this time Shahidan’s people will help us win.

“In the Kangar and Padang Besar areas, I believe we can win a few more state seats.

“It is not impossible to form a government after that,” he said.