SHAH ALAM, July 30 – Selangor PAS today assured its Pakatan Rakyat partners that it will remain in the coalition “whatever the circumstances”. Its secretary, Mohd Khairuddin Othman,
clarified that Selangor PAS had no knowledge of PAS Central Committee member Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki having discussed in a leaked conversation on a WhatsApp network for PAS Central Committee leaders the possibility of the party working with Umno in Selangor while retaining Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim of PKR as the menteri besar.
“There was no discussion on the matter whatsoever and Selangor PAS is committed and loyal to Pakatan Rakyat,” he said in a statement. Dr Mohd Zuhdi is reported to have brought up the possibility of PAS working with Umno in Selangor while retaining Abdul Khalid as the menteri besar.
The conversation is alleged to have taken place in a PAS Central Committee leaders’ WhatsApp messaging group. Mohd Khairuddin said Selangor PAS had maintained a good track record as none of its elected representatives in the state had crossed over to Umno or the Barisan Nasional (BN).
“We have no track record of our Anggota Dewan Undangan Negeri (state assemblymen) crossing to Umno or BN whatsoever. And we will maintain it,” he said. He said Dr Mohd Zuhdi’s view was his personal opinion and had no effect on Selangor PAS.
Various opinions have been raised by leaders of PKR, PAS and DAP, partners of Pakatan Rakyat, following a PKR decision to want to replace Abdul Khalid with PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the menteri besar of Selangor.
Meanwhile, Selangor DAP committee member Charles Santiago, who is the Klang Member of Parliament, said PAS leaders should disassociate themselves from the WhatsApp message.
He urged PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to come up with his stand on the “WhatsApp issue” by saying that the Selangor PAS leadership is loyal and committed to Pakatan Rakyat.
“As far as Selangor DAP is concerned, we are always loyal and committed to Pakatan (Rakyat),” he told Bernama. Abdul Hadi and PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat have come to the defence of Abdul Khalid, saying he should remain in office until his current term expires.
– BERNAMA
