KUALA LUMPUR: PAS leaders convened again at the party’s headquarters here today as questions continue to swirl over the future of coalition partner Bersatu following the breakdown of political cooperation between the two parties.
Amid speculation that discussions would focus on Bersatu’s position within Perikatan Nasional (PN), FMT understands that two meetings were scheduled today: a daily leadership meeting earlier in the afternoon and a separate meeting involving PAS MPs late evening.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said invitations had been extended to opposition MPs, including former Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, to attend the evening meeting.
PAS central committee member Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the meeting would discuss several matters currently facing the party.
“Several issues will be tabled and discussed, and a media statement will be issued after the meeting,” he said.
Meanwhile, a PAS leader rejected claims that the meeting would decide Bersatu’s status in PN, noting that such a matter required a collective decision by the coalition’s component parties.
“The question of Bersatu’s position will be discussed by the PN Supreme Council. PAS cannot decide on that on its own,” said the leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The routine daily leadership meeting did not discuss Bersatu’s position in PN.”
Instead, he said, the meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming state elections and the next parliamentary sitting involving PAS MPs.
The internal crisis within PN began over a change in the Perlis menteri besar in December and has since seen PAS end its political cooperation with Bersatu last week.
Last night, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said the party would remain in PN and contest future elections under the coalition’s banner.
Muhyiddin also stressed that the party was ready to challenge PAS at the polls “on all fronts” after the Islamic party severed ties with Bersatu.
Earlier today, PN information chief Annuar Musa urged Bersatu to remain calm and refrain from issuing statements regarding its position within the coalition.
Meanwhile, a PN leader said the coalition’s next meeting would focus primarily on considering the admission of several other parties.
“Our aim is to strengthen the opposition, not to think about expelling anyone.
“The issues arising from PAS’s decision to end cooperation with Bersatu should be resolved properly by PN’s leadership,” said the leader, who also requested anonymity.
