After losing members in committees, PAS says become ‘unofficial’ opposition in Penang

(Malay Mail Online) – From being seen as friends, PAS has become an “unofficial” opposition party in DAP-led Penang, the Islamist party’s secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said today.

He added that PAS had no choice but to oppose its one-time political ally after the state government fired 300 of its members in the village security and development committee last month.

“We have no choice but to be an opposition. We are opposition at the state level, on our own,” Takiyuddin who is also Kota Bharu MP told reporters in the Parliament lobby here.

However, he sought to distance PAS as joining up with the “official” state Barisan Nasional  opposition anchored by Umno.

“Umno is the official opposition. We are the opposition to our ex-friend.”

Yesterday, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon announced that PAS members who held positions in JKKK were sacked last month.

He added that the fired PAS representatives have since been replaced with those who fully support the Pakatan Harapan state government.

“We issued the termination letters to them a month ago,” he told a press conference at the state legislative assembly meeting room together with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.