KUALA LUMPUR: The war of words between former allies PKR and Pas has moved up a notch, with the former telling the latter to leave the current Selangor state government.
Both parties traded barbs over Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s statement on Sunday, in which he announced the party’s intention to form the next government in Selangor.
Describing Hadi’s statement as “arrogant”, Selangor PKR Youth secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman said the Islamic party should withdraw from the PKR-led state government.
Badli also questioned Pas’ motive of remaining in the state government, which was being led by Selangor Menteri Besar and PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
“It is time for Pas to respectfully step back from the state government, instead of continuing to be a thorn in the flesh,” he said in a statement today.
Hadi was quoted as saying that Pas would contest in as many seats as possible in Selangor, as opposed to the 42 state assembly seats previously announced.
PKR and Pas were allies under the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat, which came into power in Selangor in 2008.
However, the political cooperation broke down after Pas accused PKR of opposing its Islamic agenda and betraying the alliance by working with those who wanted to topple the Pas-led Kelantan government.
Pas had also accused PKR of going against Pas in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.
Azmin had previously said he would try to persuade Pas to form a cooperation in the state administration.
Due to that, Badli said, Pas should be upholding the partnership and work to retain the current administration in line with Azmin’s efforts for harmony in the state government.
“Unfortunately, the Pas president has clearly stated that they want to lead the Selangor state government after the 14th General Election.
“This statement appears to undermine the partnership between Pas and the other Pakatan Rakyat component parties, which had joined together to form the Selangor state government for so long.
“This statement also betrays the trust that was given to Pas to work together to strengthen the state government administration,” he added.
In an immediate response, Selangor Pas Youth information chief Mohamed Sukri Omar said PKR should not forget its previous betrayal against Pas.
“Don’t deny the betrayal committed by PKR in Selangor. Stop belittling the people of Selangor with your funny jokes.
“The people of Selangor are not pawns that can be moved around according to what those in power want, while denying the interest of the rakyat,” he said in a statement today.
Taking a swipe at PKR, Sukri also said the party’s youth wing should focus on addressing several “current issues” involving Azmin.
“PKR Youth should also help Pakatan Harapan with its prime ministerial candidate crisis before pointing fingers at Pas.
“The younger generation who supported Pakatan Harapan are now protesting against Pakatan for nominating a recycled prime minister,” he added.
Earlier this month, Pakatan Harapan announced former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its prime ministerial candidate if the pact won the 14th General Election.
PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, meanwhile, was named his deputy.