In May, PAS declared it has decided to end political cooperation with PKR. But the latter continues to be opaque on this matter.
The issue took another twist when PKR deputy president Azmin Ali revealed last week that informal discussions are still taking place with the Islamist party.
The next day, Kelantan PKR announced it would retain its political appointments in the PAS-governed state government, fuelling more unhappiness amongst the faction which wants PKR to cut ties with PAS.
On Wednesday PKR's Selayang MP William Leong resigned from the party's political bureau, citing the continued engagement with PAS as the reason.
In Kelantan, PKR grassroots are collecting signatures in a bid to oust the party's state chief Ab Aziz Ab Kadir and state Youth chief Hafidz Rizal Amran. The pair is seen to be close to PAS.
Malaysiakini understands that at present, sufficient signatures have been collected with regard to Hafidz but not Ab Aziz.
According to Kelantan PKR Youth vice chief Md Khairul Amin Ab Rahman, signatures have been collected from eight division Youth chiefs out of 14 to demand the central leadership to remove Hafidz.
The eight are from Pasir Mas, Tumpat, Pengkalan Chepa, Kubang Kerian, Bachok, Kota Baru, Pasir Puteh and Machang.
Khairul Amin was the former secretary of Kelantan PKR. He had resigned in protest of the state PKR continuing its working relationship with PAS.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, he claimed a majority of PKR grassroots members in the state are refusing to work with PAS as seen in the activities held of late.
He said PKR should not work with PAS unless the latter is willing to join Pakatan Harapan, and discussions with PAS should not jeopardise the opposition coalition.
Malaysiakini learnt that on Wednesday, PKR Youth deputy chief Afif Bahardin and secretary Chang Lih Kang received the signatures on behalf of national Youth chief Nik Nazmi, who is currently overseas.
Chang told Malaysiakini that he would submit a report to Nik Nazmi and let the latter decide on the matter.
“There is no clear provision in the constitution, it only states that the national chief must consult divisions when appointing a state chief. Now, they have already obtained signatures of more than half of the divisions, it is already a strong base,” he said.
On a personal note, Chang is of the opinion that PKR should not hold discussions with PAS as well.
He said the window for negotiations closed when PAS announced its intention to vie for the Permatang Pauh seat, which is the stronghold of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and symbolic of the reformasi struggle.
“We should immediately end negotiations with PAS.
“There must be good faith in negotiations. You cannot contest in our leader's seat and then continue to negotiate,” he added.
Furthermore, Chang pointed out that PAS has also expressed its intention to contest in the Gombak parliament seat, whose incumbent is Azmin.
He said PKR should make it clear to PAS that it is determined to face three-cornered fights, and if the latter is interested to negotiate, it can initiate the talks.
Meanwhile, there are leaders at the central level who are opposed to engaging PAS such as Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul, treasurer Tan Yee Kew and strategic bureau chief Sim Tze Sin.
Tan told Malaysiakini that “a good number” of political bureau members share the same view as well.
She said two years have passed since PAS quit the opposition coalition, but its assemblypersons still remain in the Selangor state government.
“We gave Azmin the freedom to talk to PAS and supported him. But this did not work out during the recent by-elections where there were three-cornered fights.
“Over the past year, we have seen PAS issuing statements from all levels degrading PKR. We don't see a positive development or formula,” she added.
Tan said the situation cannot be left as it is with the general election around the corner, and PKR needs to prepare to face multi-cornered fights. - Mkini
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