Sanusi done advising on Perlis feud, hopeful of end to fights

 

PAS MUKTAMAR | PAS election director Sanusi Nor appears to have washed his hands of issues linked to an earlier attempted coup in Perlis, which led to the Islamist party ceding the menteri besar position to Bersatu.

In his winding-up speech at the 72nd PAS muktamar in Kota Bharu today, Sanusi, who is also the Kedah menteri besar, said he had repeatedly advised PAS to ensure that states under its control remain as such.

“Even after my advice, there were still fights. I told those in Perlis not to quarrel anymore, but it just gets worse, until now.

“I’ve had enough - you all are ketegaq (stubborn) - whatever you’re told not to do, that’s what you want to do first. No one wants to berubat (treat) you anymore; go treat yourselves,” Sanusi wryly said in his typical boisterous manner. 

However, he also expressed confidence that tensions among the state’s representatives will no longer be a cause for concern.

Perikatan breakdown

On Sept 3, a Perlis PAS Youth delegate had urged the party and Perikatan Nasional’s top leadership to consider “firm action” against Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah.

Perlis Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah

In particular, Ali Na’imi Ahmad Azizi accused Abu Bakar of tarnishing PN and PAS’ image in the state, saying that the Islamist party’s assemblypersons were treated like opposition representatives, while action was also taken against several political appointees from PAS.

Abu Bakar has since rejected the claims, insisting that he maintains a good relationship with Perlis PAS leaders and that the issue was limited to individuals supporting the state’s former menteri besar, Shukri Ramli.

Bersatu’s Abu Bakar was sworn in as Perlis menteri besar on Dec 28 last year, with the Kuala Perlis assemblyperson replacing PAS’ Shukri, who resigned due to health reasons.

Shukri’s resignation came amid an attempted coup involving Bersatu and three PAS assemblypersons, who have since had their party memberships terminated while their seats in the Perlis legislature were vacated.

Following the political manoeuvre, ties between PAS and Bersatu soured, leading to PAS terminating its political cooperation with the party led by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.  - Mkini