KUALA LUMPUR: PAS is unlikely to contest solo in the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16) and has no intention of leaving the Perikatan Nasional (PN), said its Treasurer-General, Datuk Iskandar Samad.
He said that PN’s internal turmoil is also expected to be resolved in the near future following the resignation of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the coalition’s chairman, which took effect on January 1.
“I am confident that PAS will not contest solo in the next general election.
“The leadership issue in PN is expected to be resolved in the near future,” he said when contacted by Astro AWANI, here on Friday.
According to Iskandar, he does not believe Muhyiddin will make a ‘U-turn’ because such an action could affect the former Prime Minister’s political position and reputation.
Commenting on PAS’s stance, Iskandar stressed that the party remains fully committed to PN.
“PAS has no intention of leaving this coalition,” he added,
He also stated that the stance was in line with the decision of the last PAS Muktamar when the delegates clearly voiced their views for the party to continue to remain with PN.
“At the last Muktamar, the delegates stressed that PAS needed to continue with PN and not withdraw from the coalition,” he said.
Muhyiddin’s resignation is believed to be related to various demands from PAS leaders against Muhyiddin’s leadership in PN following the recent political crisis in Perlis.
Previously, political turmoil in Perlis erupted after allegations surfaced that several State Assemblymen (ADUNs) from PAS and Bersatu had submitted a sworn declaration (SD) to the Raja of Perlis stating that they no longer supported the leadership of Sanglang assemblyman, Mohd Shukri Ramli as Menteri Besar.
The three PAS assemblymen, Saad Seman (Chuping), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong) and Mohd Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji), were subsequently expelled from the party.
Mohd Shukri, shortly after, resigned as Menteri Besar due to health reasons.
The King of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, then agreed to appoint Kuala Perlis assemblyman from Bersatu, Abu Bakar Hamzah as the new Menteri Besar of Perlis.
-Agency
