As Pakatan cords fray, PAS president told to not skip pact meetings
(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang must attend all Pakatan Rakyat (PR) presidential council meetings to ensure the pact is able to reach consensus on key decisions, a PAS delegate said during the party’s annual congress today.
PAS Youth delegate Mohd Sani Hamzan pointed out that that there were complaints and reports that the PAS president has been missing from many PR leadership meetings, sparking concern that recent decisions made by the pact did not take into account PAS’s views and interests.
“We want Tok Guru’s (Hadi) presence to make important decisions in Pakatan Rakyat meetings together.
“Those who are taking care of his (Hadi) diary, make sure it is not filled with events on the days of these meetings,” Mohd Sani said.
The PAS man said this is crucial to maintain the spirit of co-operation among PR parties.
“I am also warning Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, discuss matters properly. Our enemy is Umno, Barisan Nasional (BN),” he added.
Mohd Sani called on the party leadership to reject the Selangor mentri besar post should one of its own leaders be named for the post next Tuesday.
“If you want the post, wait until the 14th general election and sweep 20 seats in Selangor,” he said to loud jeers from the audience.
Mohd Sani was forced to his speech abruptly, as other delegates were becoming unruly and repeatedly told him to stop talking.
The intrigue over the Selangor mentri besar post has pit Pakatan Rakyat allies against each other over their disagreements — first, over the removal of Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and again over whom his replacement should be.
The senior PAS leadership has consistently stood apart from its PR allies in PKR’s intricate bid to replace Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim with Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, leading to growing questions over its commitment to the pact and open calls for its exit.
The Selangor palace will appoint a new mentri besar on Tuesday, but refused to identify the individual before then.
Speculation is rife that it will be either PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and PAS Cempaka assemblyman Iskandar Abdul Samad.
It is unclear if either of the two were nominated by Hadi, who unilaterally submitted a list of three names without the knowledge of his party.
But the Sultan of Selangor previously said he will not limit his selection to the candidates nominated by the three parties, after PKR and DAP refused his request for at least three nominees for his consideration.
