Selangor GHB expects PAS exodus
(The Star) – PAS will have “a big hole in its membership” when Gerakan Harapan Baru launches its Selangor chapter at the end of the month, said its coordinator Izham Hashim.
He said the launch would ignite a massive exodus of PAS members to the new movement.
“You’ll be surprised when you see the number of PAS branches and divisions that will be finished off,” he said at a press conference announcing the launch of Selangor GHB.
Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib and Morib assemblymen Hasnul Baharuddin were among those present.
Both were suspended from PAS for a year during the Selangor mentri besar crisis last year.
Izham, who is Kelana Jaya PAS division chief, said entire Selangor PAS branches would move to GHB.
He said GHB divisions had been set up in all of Selangor’s 22 parliamentary constituencies.
The divisions in other states had also been formed, with Johor having the highest number of PAS members moving to GHB followed by Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Selangor, said Izham.
He said Selangor PAS assemblymen had also secretly expressed their interest in joining GHB.
“We will not force them because they have to willingly make the switch. They should be able to think for themselves and decide what is best for their political careers,” he added.
There are 13 PAS assemblymen excluding Saari and Hasnul in Selangor.
Izham said GHB members might contest against PAS members in Selangor in the next general election.
However, he said this would only be done if there were a real necessity to do so and only after thorough discussions with DAP and PKR.
He said it was also up to DAP and PKR on which parties they wanted to partner or if they wanted to remove PAS from the group.
“I am sure everything will be negotiated soon and we will discuss all the pros and cons,” said Izham, adding that he was certain DAP and PKR would want to partner with parties that would ensure them victory in the polls.
He said it would be very difficult to revive Pakatan Rakyat by mending the rift between PAS and DAP.
“If there is no DAP, there cannot be Pakatan. If there is no PKR, there cannot be Pakatan. But if there is no PAS, we (GHB) are there to replace them in Pakatan,” he said.
