PAS progressives not keen to join PasMa’s new party
(The Star) – Key PAS progressives who lost their positions in the recently-concluded muktamar will not be joining Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) when it registers as a political party.
Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (pic) told The Star Online that she had no plans to join PasMa’s new party.
“I have never been with PasMa and I have no intentions to be with them,” she said when contacted on Sunday.
Asked about the statement by Selangor Mentri Besar Azmin Ali that PasMa would be welcomed in Pakatan Rakyat as long as it shares the same ideals, Siti Mariah said that the decision could not be made in a unilateral manner.
“We cannot just make a unilateral decision and neither can PasMa. We have to come together and plan a strategy.
“Joining will not be easy for Penang and Selangor as we have coalition governments in those states.
“We need some time to cool off, do research and really see who is for PasMa,” said Siti Mariah.
She added that PAS had not heard directly from Azmin about the issue.
“We have to think everything through carefully. We are committed to the rakyat and to uphold Pakatan.
“Discussions need to be held with all groups concerned,” said Siti Mariah.
Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar said that he too would not be joining PasMa, adding that it was up to the Pakatan supreme council to decide whether to accept it as a component party.
He added that Azmin was entitled to his opinion, but said that for PasMa to be accepted as part of the Pakatan coalition, it has to be accepted by all members of the supreme council – including PAS.
PAS Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said that anyone had a right to voice their opinions in a democratic nation.
“However, PasMa’s objective is to replace PAS in Pakatan Rakyat. So we need to solve the problems faced by Pakatan before accepting PasMa.
“The acceptance of any new party must be agreed on by all in the Pakatan coalition,” added Mahfodz.
PasMa, a non-governmental organisation made up of disgruntled PAS members and supporters unhappy with the growing rift between PAS and DAP, said it would set up the new party with other like-minded NGOs.
PasMa president Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi said on Saturday that the yet unnamed political party would be aimed at replacing PAS in Pakatan.
This followed after the new PAS leadership adopted a resolution to sever ties with DAP.
