Sources: Hamzah’s ‘Reset’ among top agenda in Pas meeting

KOTA BARU: At its emergency central committee meeting yesterday, Pas discussed, among others, an alleged movement among Bersatu’s grassroots supporting Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s “Reset” team.

Sources claimed that the development, presented by state party commissioners, underscored the concern over the stability and strength of Perikatan Nasional’s grassroots election machinery as the coalition gears up for the 16th General Election (GE16).

“I was told that several state commissioners raised the issue with the party’s top leadership, saying Bersatu’s grassroots support appeared to be shifting towards the its former deputy president.

“They also said any decision made by the PN leadership could have a direct impact on the stability and strength of PN’s grassroots machinery, particularly ahead of GE16.

“However, no decision was reached before the meeting ended around noon,” said the source.

Meanwhile, PN deputy chairman and Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed that the meeting had discussed the party’s relationship with Bersatu, following recent remarks by Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.

He said the meeting was convened to clarify Hadi’s statement and review several actions by Bersatu that were viewed as affecting Pas and the coalition.

“There was no resolution because the president’s statement had called for several actions by Bersatu, which were seen as affecting Pas and PN, to be studied further. The relationship with Bersatu was also discussed,” he told the New Straits Times.

Tuan Ibrahim said the meeting also received state-level reports and updates on current political developments, including preparations for the state elections in Melaka, Johor and Negri Sembilan.

The meeting, chaired by Hadi in Kuala Terengganu, was attended by top party leaders, including members of the Pas Political Bureau and Central Committee.

Those present included Tuan Ibrahim, secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad.

On May 22, Hadi said Pas would re-evaluate its cooperation with Bersatu after several actions by the party that allegedly violate the camaraderie within PN.

Hadi cited a laundry list of reasons, such as Bersatu’s sacking of several of its leaders from their positions, including Kedah executive councillors and Kelantan legislative assembly deputy speaker Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi.

Bersatu, he said, had also blocked the admission of Malay-Muslim parties into PN and did not agree to new memberships in PN, which has hamstrung PN’s bid to increase its numbers.

Hadi also claimed that during previous state elections and by-elections, Bersatu had demanded more candidates but lacked sufficient machinery on the ground.

This, he added, resulted in Pas having to deploy its own machinery on the ground.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times