PAS Ulama man contradicts Azmin, says no PKR talks

A PAS Ulama leader has contradicted PKR's claims that the two parties are engaging in talks for the coming general election.

"There are absolutely no negotiations for political cooperation for the coming elections with any party aside from those in the Gagasan Sejahtera.

"This includes anyone on an individual basis whatsoever, especially if it comes with the image of Pakatan Harapan," former Ulama information chief Khairuddin Aman Razali told Malaysiakini.

"PAS members and leadership are ready from the psychological aspect to go into the 14th general election with Gagasan Sejahtera to face Umno-BN."

He said their motto would be that PAS will replace Umno, and Gagasan Sejahtera will replace BN and Harapan.

Last week PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali maintained that "informal discussions" between PKR and PAS were in progress, but did not involve Harapan.

“It is not my personal initiative. It was the decision taken by the party. I am just representing the party.

“This negotiation and discussion is only between PKR and PAS, nothing to do with Pakatan Harapan,” Azmin was reported telling the media yesterday.

PAS had repeatedly stated that it intends to contest in seats that they feel confident in winning, including those held by PKR.

This includes parliamentary seats such as Permatang Pauh, currently held by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Azmin’s Gombak seat, and seats held by PKR vice presidents Tian Chua (Batu) and Nurul Izzah Anwar (Lembah Pantai).

For the record, Azmin was recently appointed as the Harapan’s election director.

The issue of whether to cooperate with PAS in the coming election had opened rifts within PKR, particularly in Kelantan as well as the central leadership.

Selayang MP William Leong resigned from the PKR political bureau while Guchil assemblyperson Mohamad Roslan Puteh resigned as Kelantan PKR deputy chief over the dispute. -Mkini