Anwar: PAS' decision to cut ties with PKR 'predictable'

PAS has become closer to Umno in recent years, thus the decision by the Islamist party to sever ties with former allies does not come as a surprise for PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

In his speech to the PKR congress in Shah Alam today, Anwar said PAS no longer appear interested in criticising Umno over unpopular policies.

"PAS did not object to the national budget which introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the increase in price of oil and sugar and they did not join the Bersih 5 rally," said Anwar, whose speech was read out by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Anwar said that he was disappointed that PAS chose to attack PKR over the latter's stance on attempts to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).

"The same 'interesting' theatrics are repeated - PAS attacked PKR for supposedly being against the private member's bill while Umno/BN media attacked the president (Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) for her statement which was in support of hudud."

Anwar stressed that PKR respected PAS' right to table a private member's bill to amend the Act, but believed that that it must first be referred to a parliamentary select committee.

"The one that decided not to table the bill was (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak). But why was there no protest against Umno?" he queried.

Meanwhile, Anwar said PKR appreciated the deeds and contributions of former top PAS leaders Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Fadzil Noor, Yusuf Rawa and even PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

"(But) PAS' latest decision has disappointed many. We don't want to question its decision to move away from its previous stance."

He however believes that PKR should not lose sleep over this.

"The main focus now is to accept the reality and to uphold the members' capabilities."

The PAS syura council on May 11 upheld the decision reached during its recent muktamar to sever political ties with PKR.

The syura council had accused PKR of betrayal with regard to political cooperation with PAS.- Mkini