PAS need not hold opposition leader post, says treasurer

 Iskandar Abdul Samad says PAS has 43 MPs to advance the party’s agenda in the Dewan Rakyat.

PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad (left) told members to ignore comments by Puad Zarkashi, saying the party ignored him even when he was an Umno Supreme Council member.

PETALING JAYA:

PAS does not need to hold the opposition leader’s post, as the party has 43 MPs to advance its agenda in the lower house, Iskandar Abdul Samad said.

The PAS treasurer said although the opposition leader has traditionally been accorded more time on the floor, the number of MPs the Islamic party has allows them to address various issues and promote its stance.

Earlier today, former Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, who quit Umno earlier this year, suggested that PAS take over the role of opposition leader from Hamzah Zainudin, who is Wawasan president.

“There is no need for PAS to pay him any attention,” Iskandar told FMT, referring to Puad.

“The party ignored him even when he was with Umno,” he added.

Puad, who is also the former Batu Pahat MP, described Hamzah as unimpressive during the debate on the 2027 budget.

He said Hamzah had failed to offer new proposals or policies in his budget debate, only mentioning the need for an “engine of high-impact economic growth”.

Hamzah has been opposition leader since December 2022 although he stepped down for a short period from April to June following his sacking by Bersatu.

PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the Perikatan Nasional chairman, took over the role during that time before Hamzah returned as opposition leader in June. - FMT