KUALA LUMPUR – Amanah vice-president Datuk Seri Mahfuz Omar said his party will not entertain any talk of cooperating with PAS, describing his former party as impossible to work with as they are untrustworthy.
He said the contents of a set of leaked meeting minutes, which allegedly outlined PAS’ preparations for the coming national polls, was proof that the Islamist party would readily discard their allies and switch allegiances if it fits their interests.
The alleged document, uploaded on the Malaysia Hot website on Monday, named PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as key operators who had engaged with top leaders of several political parties to discuss possible new alliances going into the general election, including with the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The document also outlined the alleged view of PAS leaders on the need to expedite the corruption cases against Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Takiyuddin did not immediately respond to a request for comments. Samsuri has said the document was “rubbish” being circulated by irresponsible parties.
PAS is currently a member of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition led by Bersatu, and was a key support base for Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during his short stint as prime minister.
PAS’ hypocrisy has now been exposed, and this document shows that PAS is untrustworthy…they don’t even have confidence in Bersatu,” Mahfuz told The Vibes when contacted.
Mahfuz said Takiyuddin made it clear how quickly PAS would shift support by openly backing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for another term instead of Muhyiddin as the leader of their coalition partner.
“And how can they now say they will support a prime minister candidate from PH? To me, the question whether Amanah is willing to cooperate with PAS doesn’t arise, because they can’t be trusted,” he said.
No decision without consensus: PKR
Mahfuz was part of a group of former PAS leaders who left the party over disagreements with the direction set by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, especially over the move to abandon the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition that included PKR and DAP.
The group, led by Mohamad Sabu, later formed Amanah in 2015 and joined PKR and DAP to establish PH.
Despite Amanah’s position, PKR leaders believe that any plan to cooperate with PAS must be discussed by the PH leadership before a decision can be made.
Party information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said this is the PH convention, with the ultimate decision made by the PH presidential council.
Shamsul said they think PAS believes their electoral chances are better off if they ally with Umno, even if it means leaving PN.
Their biggest obstacles now are probably Zahid and Najib, who clearly are not on the same page with PAS president Hadi and deputy Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man,” he said.
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said the party will tread cautiously when looking at any form of partnership with PAS.
“In any case, PKR is now in the process of holding its party election. I think any question requiring a major policy decision such as this must be decided by the incoming leadership,” he said. – The Vibes, April 21, 2022
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