Pakatan won’t break up over Selangor crisis, says ‘optimistic’ Anwar

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Pakatan Rakyat has endured so much and will not break up over the Selangor menteri besar issue. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, July 30, 2014.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today played down fears of a Pakatan Rakyat break-up, saying the views of grassroots leaders in Islamist party PAS were not its official stand.

"I know the attitude of the leaders like (PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul) Hadi Awang. He is very committed to PR.

"So I am optimistic," Anwar said in Permatang Pauh today.

He said some inappropriate and unhealthy comments from the grassroots about the Selangor menteri besar's position had caused misunderstanding but he was confident that the alliance was still firm with the leadership of PKR, DAP and PAS looking at larger interests.

"We have already endured so long with principles like tolerance," he said.

"I do not see it as a break-up."

De facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this to talk that Pakatan Rakyat is on the verge of breaking up over the position of  Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

The PKR wants to replace Khalid while PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is backing the embattled Selangor Menteri Besar to continue in his post.

Hadi’s position triggered a series of exchanges between its leadership with the party’s spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz backing him while the Islamist party’s deputy saying that Hadi’s stand on the matter was his personal view.

Anwar said Hadi's personal view on the matter is up to the Islamist party to resolve.

He said the party will probably have to engage its president to hear his reasons and also resolve views like a woman should not be appointed as menteri besar.

"Otherwise the ramifications may not be too good in the long run."

Anwar said it is "presumptuous" to say that PAS wants to break from Pakatan over this matter.

Anwar said there is no such indication from the PAS leadership, which remains committed to PR. The views from PAS grassroots leaders are not the official stand of the party leadership.

"I know the attitudes of the leaders like (PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul) Hadi Awang. He is very committed to PR.

"So I am optimistic."

Anwar also said he had met with Hadi on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (on Sunday) before the latter left for Terengganu.

"I spoke to him the night before Eid to exchange festive greetings. It means our communication is still good.

"Of course there are some sentiments on the ground and allegations we are facing...but I have chosen not to entertain them because as far as we are concerned, we have full confidence in the attitude and policies of the leadership."

Anwar said some inappropriate and unhealthy comments from the PAS grassroots about the Selangor menteri besar position, including working with Umno, had caused misunderstanding.

But he is confident that the pact is still intact with its leaderships of PKR, DAP and PAS looking at larger interests and cooperation.

Anwar also remained unfazed about Khalid’s meeting PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who had voiced support for Khalid to stay as menteri besar.

Anwar said he too meets with Nik Aziz regularly, and added that he does not see Selangor calling a snap election to resolve the situation.

"It will not come to that."

On Khalid refusing to leave, Anwar said the former may see things differently as he has the support of some quarters.

Even before the Kajang Move was announced, he said Khalid had been informed that he would be replaced even when the final decision had yet to be made.

"The final decision has now been communicated (to him). So I think we should avoid making statements that will heat up the situation."

Anwar said the three PR parties were in agreement that things must improve in the wealthiest Malaysian state.

Issues like water, the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway, tax hikes, religion, infrastructure and state expenditures had been discussed in almost all PR council meetings.

Anwar said he also spoke to Lim, who is Penang chief minister, before he left on a working visit to Japan.

"There are quite a number of concerns especially after the exposure of some private communications among some in PAS.

"But I told him that we should continue because what is important is the attitude and position of the leaders, not small factions in PAS or any other parties.

"Some may come out with extreme statements that contradict the spirit of PR," he said, referring to the controversial WhatsApp texts by PAS central committee member Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki.

- TMI