‘PKR desperate for Pas help in facing general election’
KUALA LUMPUR: The crisis of confidence in Pakatan Harapan has become more apparent following a visit by several PKR leaders to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang recently.
The prime minister’s special officer, Datuk Rizal Mansor, said the visit proved that PKR was not confident in the strength of its own allies, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Parti Amanah Negara (PAN), in defeating Barisan Nasional in the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14).
He added that the visit also proved that PKR was still craving for Pas’s help in GE14.
“It (the visit) shows that PAN and PPBM that PKR is still hoping for Pas’s (help) in facing the next general election. In other words, PKR is not confident in PAN’s and PPBM’s strengths.
“PAN has the right to feel disheartened with PKR, who have been playing (games) behind its back. At the same time, Pas, too, has the right to feel proud that its former ally is now ‘gila talak’ (desperate),” he said in a Facebook posting yesterday.
On Saturday, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, her deputy, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, and PKR vice-president Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin paid a visit to Hadi, who is recovering from a heart valve replacement surgery.
The visit sparked speculation that PKR was seeking help from Pas despite the fact that the Islamic party cut ties with PKR in April.
Rizal said PAN vice-president Datuk Husam Musa’s recent speech in Kelantan also implied that there was tension among PKR, PAN and PPBM.
“Based on a Facebook post by academician Dr Kamarul Yusoff, the PAN leader’s (Husam) speech during the PAN convention in Kelantan shows there is tension among the three parties,” said Rizal.
Kamarul, in his post, questioned why Husam had to remind the audience about PAN’s existence and sacrifices, “aside from warning PKR and PPBM to not sideline PAN”.
Pas on April 30 ended its tahaluf siyasi, or political cooperation, with PKR, saying the latter could no longer be trusted as an ally.
Pas’ Syura Council had said that PKR failed to support the party’s Islamic agenda such as the private member’s bill to enhance the Syariah Courts.
The council had accused PKR of attacking Pas and making hurtful accusations.
It had also accused PKR of betraying Pas by working with PAN, which was allegedly trying to unseat the Pas-led Kelantan government.