Hadi’s scathing statement against Bersatu a last resort, says PAS

 PAS secretary-general says previous attempts to resolve issues between both parties had failed to yield results.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said some Bersatu leaders often depicted PAS leaders as being incompetent and incapable of being at the forefront of the PN leadership.

PETALING JAYA:

PAS has defended its president Abdul Hadi Awang’s scathing attack on Bersatu last month in which the Muhyiddin Yassin-led party was accused of straining ties between both parties.

In a letter dated June 5, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said Hadi’s remarks at a press conference were a last resort after other attempts at resolving the issues between both parties failed to yield results.

Takiyuddin added that Hadi was not simply attacking Bersatu but reminding the party that Perikatan Nasional’s success was built on cooperation and mutual respect, Berita Harian reported.

“PAS believes that it’s unfair to fully blame the PAS president for the current tensions when the root of the problem has long existed, namely the way certain Bersatu leaders act unilaterally, ignoring the views of allies in PN, specifically PAS.

“PAS chose to remain quiet for the sake of preserving unity within PN,” said Takiyuddin, the PN secretary-general.

The former law minister added that some Bersatu leaders often depicted PAS leaders as being incompetent or incapable of being at the forefront of the PN leadership.

Takiyuddin added that the actions of some Bersatu members of the PN Supreme Council appeared to be aimed at allowing their party to dominate the coalition.

The Kota Bharu MP said Bersatu must take concrete action to address the negative perception some of its leaders hold against PAS, which he described as prejudiced.

Takiyuddin also said Bersatu must consider reconciling with leaders it had sacked, including former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, for the sake of strengthening PN.

He said these figures had wide grassroot networks and excellent service records, and that their departure from Bersatu had also negatively affected PN.

The PAS central committee is meeting at 9pm tonight to decide on its relationship with Bersatu, with a view to contest in the next general election without the Muhyiddin-led party.

On May 22, Hadi said several issues had strained ties between the two parties, including the move to unseat the Perlis menteri besar, alleged interference in appointments involving Kedah and Kelantan, and Bersatu’s opposition to admitting new Malay-Muslim parties into PN.

Hadi also criticised Bersatu for demanding a disproportionate share of seats despite its weak grassroots machinery, pointing out that much of the groundwork in previous elections had been carried out by PAS volunteers.

On May 25, Muhyiddin sent a letter to PAS leaders rebuffing Hadi’s allegations and justifying his party’s actions on the issues raised by the PAS president. - FMT