PAS women wing’s chief denies supporting Wan Azizah

(The Star) – PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof has denied signing a statement in support of PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the new Selangor Mentri Besar.

In a report by PAS’ organ, Harakahdaily, the Rantau Panjang MP said the statement was distributed before she could scrutinise the content and get the approval from the Women’s wing.

“The statement was distributed without my signature and scrutiny. The Muslimat (Women) wing also decided to postpone the release of the statement as the content brings a different meaning,” Siti Zailah was quoted as saying.

A joint statement by all Pakatan Rakyat Women chiefs – Chong Eng (DAP), Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR) and supposedly PAS’ Siti Zailah, was distributed on Sunday, stated their “unconditional support” for Dr Wan Azizah as the mentri besar.

They also questioned the apparent objection against Dr Wan Azizah, which they claimed was due to her gender although she was endorsed by 30 assemblymen to take over the office.

“If Dr Wan Azizah was a man, would she be subjected to this treatment? Why is there such disturbing opposition to woman as mentri besar?

“Today, the Pakatan Rakyat Wanita stand united in stating our unconditional support for Dr Wan Azizah as the Mentri Besar of Selangor.

“We have come together to validate and reinforce our stand that Dr Wan Azizah should be installed as the Mentri Besar of Selangor,” they said.

They added when the state constitution itself supports no gender discrimination, then it is clear than a women can lead the state.

They further went on to say that Dr Wan Azizah has all the capabilities to lead the government based on her academic backgrounds and her track record as a a politician.

Although Siti Zailah admitted that she once stated her support for Dr Wan Azizah, she however said that this was based on PAS’ initial decision to nominate two names – Dr Wan Azizah and her deputy, Azmin Ali.

She also expressed her disappointment over the distribution of the statement, reprimanding her counterparts for releasing the statement without her approval.

“I do not want to point fingers. Only God knows how I feel. Our wala’ (loyalty) is for PAS’ leadership only,” she said.

Both Zuraida and Chong Eng could not be contacted for comments.