PAS said it is looking forward to resolving all Perikatan Nasional leadership issues in a “full council” meeting, and insisted that everything should be done according to the coalition’s constitution.
This came after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin held a pre-council discussion at his residence in Kuala Lumpur last night, with all presidents of PN component parties in attendance except PAS.
According to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s political secretary, Syahir Sulaiman, the Islamist party’s chief could not attend last night’s meeting due to a last-minute change to his schedule.
However, the PAS president has delivered his views through a letter to his PN counterparts, Syahir said.
“We have yet to receive any notification regarding the outcome of this ‘pre-council’ meeting. So we are waiting for an invitation to the ‘full council’ meeting to resolve all issues.
“On our part, PAS wants everything to be in order and managed according to the legitimate constitution and rules.
“Tuan Guru (Hadi) and (PAS deputy president) Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man have stressed that PAS wants PN to be strengthened,” he added in a statement.
Earlier today, Malaysiakini reported that PAS was absent from the meeting organised by Muhyiddin amid speculation of a rift between the party and Bersatu.
Despite this, Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) president P Punithan insisted that PN remains stable.
At loggerheads
Syahir, when pressed further, declined to reveal the content of the letter that Hadi sent to Muhyiddin, Punithan, and Gerakan president Dominic Lau.
However, based on recent letters between Hadi and Muhyiddin leaked to the press, PAS had put its foot down against the Bersatu leader’s proposal to abolish the position of PN chairperson.
This detail has been indirectly confirmed by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, who cited the content of Hadi’s letter during a press conference in Parliament yesterday.
“PAS’ position is clear based on a letter from the PAS president (to Muhyiddin) - we want PN’s structure to remain as provided for in the constitution.
“It cannot be changed. If it were changed, it would be unconstitutional. Action could be taken by the authorities, especially ROS (Registrar of Societies),” he had said.
Pre-council meeting ‘unconstitutional’
Takiyuddin, who is PN deputy secretary-general, had also branded Muhyiddin’s pre-council meeting, in lieu of a now-cancelled extraordinary supreme council meeting, as “unconstitutional”.
PAS and Bersatu had been at loggerheads over the issue of PN leadership.
Since Muhyiddin’s resignation as PN chief took effect on Jan 1, Hadi and other PAS leaders have claimed their party’s stake to lead the coalition.
However, the Islamist party has yet to name its candidate, amid reported internal differences between its professionals and clerics.
Among PAS professionals highly speculated to be nominated for the post include Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, while senior clerics who were reportedly favoured include Tuan Ibrahim. - Mkini
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