FATE OF PAS EXCO MEMBERS UNCERTAIN
Status of trio to be decided after talks with PKR president, says Azmin
THE fate of three Pas executive council members in Selangor is hanging in the balance following the Islamic party’s decision to sever ties with PKR.
This came after Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali made it clear that he would discuss the trio’s status with PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Azmin said he had summoned the three exco members to clarify Pas’s move to cut ties with PKR.
They are Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad, who is the housing, building management and urban settlement committee chairman; Zaidy Abdul Talib (state infrastructure, public amenities and agro-based industry) and Datuk Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Islamic Affairs).
“This morning (yesterday), I asked them to explain to me how they can function effectively and, at the same time, not have any political cooperation with PKR.
“They have given their explanations and I will discuss this further with Dr Wan Azizah before any decision is made,” he said after the opening of the Perodua Mosque here yesterday.
Azmin was accompanying Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who officiated the mosque.
Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president, refused to comment on whether he was convinced by the explanation given by the three.
He said Sultan Sharafuddin had been informed on the political situation in Selangor, adding that there was no need for a state election to be held as mandate given by the people in the 13th General Election was intact.
“The priority is to ensure stability in the state, as well as to continue with the mandate given by the people.”
On Thursday, Pas, through its Syura Council, ended its alliance with PKR for breaching conditions of their tahaluf siyasi, or political cooperation.
Council secretary Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh had said the decision was made after PKR breached several conditions of the political cooperation.
Chief among them was PKR’s decision not to support Pas’s plan to empower the Syariah courts by amending the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965.
The council had also accused PKR of criticising the Pas leadership and principles, as well as making false accusations to taint the party’s image.
PKR was also accused of working with others that were trying to topple the Pas-led Kelantan government during the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections last year.
Azmin later expressed his disappointment with the Syura Council’s decision.
“There are differences between us, but we have been working together since 2008. We have achieved many successes throughout these eight years.
“I have done everything I could to mitigate the problems through engagements, consultations and meetings. But, patience has its limits.
“I have done my part to ensure that the political coalition is intact. It is very unfortunate that Pas has decided to cut ties with PKR.”
When asked whether PKR was ready to discuss seat allocations with Pas, he said: “No, because the decision to sever ties was made by Pas.”
He also said PKR was ready to face any eventualities in the upcoming 14th General Election.
“As a political party, we have to be prepared for any eventualities, even three-cornered fights with Pas,” he said.
Pas holds 13 of the 56 seats in the Selangor state assembly.