Fourteen PAS lawmakers will abstain from voting Budget 2016 following the party's new approach of cooperation with BN.

This is because the party opposed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and several issues stipulated in the budget, said PAS Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz when met at Parliament today.

"PAS has objected GST consistently as the rakyat are being burdened by it. We have suggested to implement a new taxation in accordance with our religion. GST affects the poor too.

"But the budget was made to benefit the rakyat as well.

"We will debate in the budget. But we will abstain from voting," said Nik Abduh (PAS-Pasir Mas), who had claimed he protested Budget 2016 while sitting down.

However, he concurred with the opposition's view that the budget benefits Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ( photo ) and the BN government.

"Of course, the budget takes care of Najib and the government. The most important element of a budget is to take care of its party.

"I agree that the budget will take care of Najib, but it will take care of the people as well," he said.

Nik Abduh was asked to respond to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang who reportedly said the party will not take part in a vote against Budget 2016.

Sinar Harian reported that the decision was supported by all PAS lawmakers.

Asked about rejecting the budget, he said: "We will abstain and not vote to reject it in absolute terms because our party policy is to support what’s good for the people and to reject negative things.

“There are things we don't agree on, but there is no way we will join calls to reject Budget 2016,” Hadi was quoted as saying by the Malay daily in Kuala Terengganu.

No political cooperation with BN

Hadi had announced last Tuesday PAS' new approach in working with BN on national and public issues.

He also reiterated the party's stand to remain as opposition force and dismissed the possibility of forming a unity government with archrival Umno.

Hadi ( photo ) said the party is willing to meet members of the government, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This however raised the concern of possible political cooperation with BN in next general elections, which Nik Abduh vehemently denied.

"No such thing as political cooperation. We only work together so the government can help the rakyat (better)," he said.

Concurring with his colleague, Nasrudin Hasan (PAS-Temerloh) said it would be unfair if the Islamic party were to oppose even good measures brought by the BN government.

"The president had said it loud, we work on good things. It would not be fair if we were to reject it," he said.

Citing a central technical committee formed between PAS and federal government to iron out the implementation of hudud in Kelantan, he said this was a good measure.

The technical committee was formed to study every aspects of the implementation of hudud and to explain the matter to all levels.

When met at Parliament, DAP whip Anthony Loke urged PAS to reconsider its decision before the vote takes place after Deepavali.

He said he is also confident that half of PAS MPs will defy the party's decision on the budget.