HEAR THAT HADI, NIK ABDUH, NASRUDIN! Stop the anti-Pakatan talk or GET LOST - youth group tells Pas hawks

A group of youths today handed over a letter to PAS urging it to rein in leaders at all levels whose statements have created tension in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition.

Led by social activist Safwan Anang, Lensa Anak Muda Malaysia (Lensa) said the Islamist party should leave the coalition if no effort was made to rectify problems within the party.

"If not stopped, it will only result in the loss of public support. Lensa is suggesting that PAS urge all leaders, at all levels, to stop making statements that can harm the relationship between the PR partners," Safwan said after handing over a memorandum at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"It is important to have a cooling-off period and allow space for the partners to strengthen their collaboration.

"We feel that if PAS fails to act decisively on this matter, it is better for the party to take steps to withdraw from PR," he added.

Yesterday, Lensa blamed PAS for prolonging the Selangor menteri besar crisis that had threatened break the coalition which brings together PAS, PKR and DAP.

He said that youths were growing sick of PR, as reflected in its recent loss in Pengkalan Kubor, and that Lensa believed the sickness began with PAS.

Lensa coordinator Ekhsan Bukharee, who also insisted that PAS was the main cause of the crisis that dragged on for nearly five months, said the matter would have been resolved much earlier if the party had respected, and supported the candidate chosen by PKR and DAP.

Relationship between the component parties became strained when PAS leaders started issuing statements that were detrimental to the coalition.

"Lensa is concerned that if a clash within PR is not managed immediately, then people will start losing faith in PR, particular PAS. This is because of the public perception that PAS has turned its back on the coalition.

"In four series of forums we conducted, 23 out of the 33 questions asked by the audiences revolved around disappointment over PAS's conduct during the Selangor menteri besar crisis.

"Analysis also showed that all non-Muslim audiences questioned PAS's stance and conduct during the crisis."

Ekhsan said PR should start reinforcing the consensus to review the country's governance under the Barisan Nasional (BN) stewardship, as a strong opposition would only create a more caring and transparent government.

He said the crisis has diverted somewhat the coalition's attention on issue related to the Sedition Act despite having some of the leaders charged under the draconian act.

"If the opposition is weak, the ruling government will take this chance to govern the country as they see fit and oppress the people.

"One clear example was PR was too busy with the MB crisis that the government started prosecuting leaders and activists using the Act." –TMI