Bersatu elected representatives appeared resigned to their fate on what will be of their position in the Perikatan Nasional-led Kelantan government following PAS’ move to sever ties with their party.
Air Lanas assemblyperson Kamarudin Md Nor said he would not rush into action and instead leave the decision in the hands of Menteri Besar Nassuruddin Daud.
The Kelantan Bersatu chairperson added that the matter would also depend on the party’s top leadership.
“(For now) I don’t know. It is up to the menteri besar and the decision of Bersatu’s leadership,” Kamarudin (above, left) told Malaysiakini today.
He was responding to questions about his position in the state administration following PAS’ decision last night to end political cooperation with Bersatu.
The Islamist party’s move is believed to be the first step towards opening the door to cooperation with both BN-Umno and the Bersatu splinter group led by former deputy president Hamzah Zainudin.
Apart from Kamarudin, the other Bersatu elected representatives in the state assembly are Bahari Nor (Gual Ipoh), Shaari Mat Hussain (Paloh), and Almidi Jaafar (Bukit Bunga). However, Almidi’s party membership was suspended in May following the latest internal crackdown.
‘Up to PAS’
Kok Lanas assemblyperson Farid Zawawi also expressed his understanding that the status of Bersatu assemblypersons in Kelantan rests entirely with PAS.
This was because they had contested and won their seats under the coalition’s banner, he explained.
Farid, who was expelled from Bersatu on May 11, opined that the fate of Bersatu assemblypersons still aligned with the party leadership depends on Nassuruddin and Kelantan state assembly speaker Amar Abdullah.
“The remaining Bersatu assemblypersons are staunch supporters of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. Some of them hold important positions in the Kelantan government.
“We leave their positions entirely to the wisdom of the menteri besar, the speaker, and the Kelantan PAS leadership,” he said.
When contacted, Amar, who is also a PAS vice-president, declined to elaborate, only briefly stating, “Wait and see.”
During the last general election, all PN nomination letters, required for a person to qualify as a candidate in Terengganu and Kelantan, were issued by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Situation in Perlis
Separately, Perlis PAS also expressed its acceptance of the decision by the party’s central leadership to terminate political cooperation with Bersatu.
Noting that no discussions have been held at the state level on the follow-up steps required after the decision, Perlis PAS information chief Zahid Ibrahim affirmed that the party’s state chapter will abide by the determination.
He further told Malaysiakini that Perlis PAS will hold talks on the matter soon prior to announcing any decisions to be implemented in the future.
During the 2022 Perlis polls, PN secured control of the 15-seat state assembly, with PAS securing nine seats while Bersatu garnered five.
Pakatan Harapan, via PKR’s Gan Ay Ling (Indera Kayangan), managed to win one seat, despite the coalition fielding candidates in all 15 seats.
However, three seats in the legislature have since been declared vacant after their incumbents - Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong), and Saad Seman (Chuping) - were suspended from PAS.
The remaining six PAS assemblypersons are Shukri Ramli (Sanglang), Haziq Asyraf Dun (Beseri), Wan Badariah Wan Saad (Mata Ayer), Azmir Azizan (Santan), and Asrul Aimran Abdul Jalil (Kayang).
The five Bersatu representatives are Abu Bakar Hamzah (Kuala Perlis), Megat Hashirat Hassan (Pauh), Wan Zikri Afthar Ishak (Tambun Tulang), Izizam Ibrahim (Titi Tinggi), and Marzita Mansor (Sena). - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.