SHAH ALAM: Jailed PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lambasted former party ally Pas for its friendly ties with Umno.
Anwar, who is serving a sentence for sodomy, said Pas's decision to break its pact with PKR did not come as a surprise, as the Islamic party was never openly critical of BN-led government-related issues such as the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and increases in sugar and fuel prices; and was absent from the Bersih 5 rally.
He, however, expressed utter dismay over Pas's accusation that PKR was not supportive of its private member's bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).
"We are disappointed with the statement condemning PKR over Act 355.
"It is a repeat of political theatrics, when Pas attacked PKR for purportedly opposing Act 355, and when the Umno-BN (controlled) media criticised (the PKR) president for her statement supporting hudud!
"The president and I have already stated that while we respect Pas's right (to table the proposal to amend Act 355), it must be debated and referred to the select committee," Anwar said in a speech read by his daughter and PKR vice-president, Nurul Izzah Anwar, at the party's 12th congress today.
He then claimed that since the private member's bill was not tabled by the government following a decision to maintain it as it is, efforts to amend Act 355 will be shelved.
"It was Datuk Seri Najib (Razak) who made the decision. It means the bill will be shelved.
“We are (therefore) perplexed as to why no opposition (by Pas has been) made against Umno,” he added.