PAS Syura Council told to explain over Pakatan ties

(The Star) – The PAS Syura Council has been asked to explain regarding the party’s position in Pakatan Rakyat.

In an open letter to the council on Monday, Faiz Fadzil, the son of former PAS president and Opposition leader, the late Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor, sought clarification to quell confusion.

“This is because in a forum held on May 24, a member of the council stated that the council had made a decision regarding the position of PAS in Pakatan and would submit the decision to the party’s central committee,” said Faiz.

He added that the issue became a bigger concern after it was reinforced by circumstantial evidence through two statements.

The first was by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang that PAS was willing to sever ties with DAP.

Another statement was by deputy Mursyidul Am (Spiritual Leader) Datuk Ahmad Yakob that Hadi had reportedly long considered the PAS-DAP relationship.

Faiz asked the council to clarify if it had indeed carried out a meeting to discuss PAS’ position in Pakatan.

If the meeting had indeed taken place, Faiz asked for the decision reached by the council to be made public – whether PAS would re-examine its position in the coalition or to leave Pakatan?

“If a decision regarding PAS’ position in Pakatan was made, when will that decision be submitted to the party’s central committee so that a resolution may be made?” he asked.

Faiz explained that according to the party constitution, the position of PAS in Pakatan could only be decided by the central muktamar – being the highest body – which earlier decided that the Islamist party would join the Opposition coalition.

He added that he was confident majority of the public, party members and supporters still wished PAS to maintain its position in Pakatan.