PKR is bearing the brunt of Pas’s ouster

“Azmin is a realist. He is working hard to maintain the cordial relationship between the palace and government in Selangor.

“The preservation of the status quo has been consented to by the sultan to maintain the government’s stability.

“Due to political interests, some tend to ignore the role of a menteri besar. Politicians like Pua, for example, like to come out with statements that may not conform to the palace’s wish for stability,” an aide to Azmin said.

Furthermore, losing grip over Malay constituents could spell doom for PKR’s leadership in the state, political analyst Professor Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani said.

In 2010, the number of Bumiputera residents in Selangor stood at 51.5 per cent, and Muslims at 57.9 per cent — both numbers have grown since.

“Selangor has many Malay seats (at least 25 state seats).

“The underlying issue is the impact of Pas’s departure on parties dependent on Malay support. Yes, in this instance, PKR is walking a tightrope.”

WEAKENED PRESENCE?

PKR is bearing the brunt of Pas’s ouster, which is the objective of a few who harbour a vendetta against certain individuals and the Islamic party.

DAP has decided to leave the matter and aftermath to be solely dealt by PKR, and washed its hands clean off efforts to remove Pas from the equation.

After more than a decade of friendly ties, Pas and PKR have arrived in Splitsville, reflecting the fluid but tumultuous interparty relationship in the opposition fold.

This could lead to the opposition pact losing its two-thirds majority in Selangor, even if parties in Pakatan Harapan remain incumbent at the next polls.

As of now, any overture against Pas is bearing fruit and PKR’s leadership in Selangor has never been on a shakier ground. Azmin can only do so much to hold it together.