PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has told Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah to mind his own business and avoid “interfering in other parties’ affairs.”
Fadhli’s remarks came after the menteri besar had reportedly suggested that the three former PAS assemblypersons whose memberships were invalidated last month, remain in the state government as independents.
“The memberships of those three former PAS assemblypersons were terminated because they violated the disciplinary code clearly enshrined in the party’s constitution.
“PAS cannot compromise on disciplinary issues like this,” Fadhli (above, left) said on Facebook today.
“The MB should just focus on governing the state and ensure he doesn’t become the shortest-serving Perlis menteri besar in history. That should be enough,” he added.
PAS sacked Chuping assemblyperson Saad Seman, Bintong assemblyperson Fakhrul Anwar Ismail, and Guar Sanji elected representative Ridzuan Hashim from the party for their involvement in ousting then-menteri besar Shukri Ramli.
This led to the Perlis assembly speaker vacating their seats as per the state’s anti-hopping law.
The Islamist party viewed the incident, which resulted in Bersatu’s Abu Bakar becoming menteri besar, as an act of betrayal.
The incident briefly strained ties between PAS and Bersatu, leading to calls for Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin to step down as Perikatan Nasional chairperson.
On Jan 2, the trio sought legal action against speaker Rus’sele Eizan, arguing that he had acted beyond his jurisdiction by declaring their seats vacant.
‘We’re not like you’
Fadhli also reminded Abu Bakar that if PAS “wanted to play politics”, the remaining six Perlis assemblypersons from the party could also simply choose to “declare war” on the menteri besar, just as Abu Bakar had done in 2023.
“But that’s the thing, PAS assemblypersons are not like the menteri besar, and our party is not like the menteri besar’s party. The rakyat is much more a priority,” the Pasir Mas MP said.
Fadhli was referring to when Abu Bakar opposed Shukri’s decision not to appoint him as an exco member.
At the time, Abu Bakar also claimed that he was “backstabbed” by certain state Bersatu leaders on the exco line-up.
Shukri later refuted these claims, arguing that the appointment of Perlis exco members was made after discussions with the PN leadership.
Abu Bakar was eventually made an exco member in November 2024.
‘Avoid fitnah, verify info first’
Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz later responded to Fadhli’s remarks, reminding the PAS leader to “avoid fitnah (lies)”.
“As a Muslim leader, it is better to verify information and seek clarification before pointing fingers. One should stay away from actions that lead to fitnah,” he said on Facebook.
Tun Faisal clarified that the Perlis menteri besar’s suggestion reflected no indication to “interfere” with PAS politics, highlighting that Abu Bakar’s proposal was only in the best interests of the state administration.
"His suggestion has nothing to do with PAS' actions toward its members. PAS' decision to drop or dismiss its members is a party matter.
“But his proposal was suggested (as a solution) to determine the position of the three assemblypersons, so they could continue serving the people in their respective constituencies,” he said.
Tun Faisal added that he believes Abu Bakar only wanted the matter resolved quickly, and through a “win-win” scenario.
This, he explained, would involve a scenario where the trio would eventually withdraw their lawsuit against the state speaker, and for the latter to then allow them to retain their seats.
The Bersatu leader also said that Abu Bakar had even suggested establishing an MB service office to handle affairs in the three constituencies, if this matter is not resolved soon.
Trio at meeting with Muhyiddin
Yesterday, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin told Malaysiakini that there was still room for a resolution regarding the trio’s status, as all decisions by party president Abdul Hadi Awang are still subject to the party’s syura council.
However, PAS assistant secretary-general Syahir Sulaiman later refuted the claims, stressing that the trio’s termination from the party was final.
A Perlis PAS leader yesterday also expressed disapproval about the terminated trio’s presence in a meeting between Hashim and Muhyiddin.
Beseri assemblyperson Haziq Asyraf Dun described the meeting as a “major issue” and said he was “saddened” by the images surfacing from the meeting, which enabled the act of betrayal.
He also said it would cause further confusion among PAS members who had long been taught about the importance of loyalty and discipline in the party.
Muhyiddin’s visit came about a month after PAS central committee member Shukri stepped down as Perlis menteri besar. - Mkini
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