PAS deputy chief Mohamed ‘Mat’ Sabu has dismissed claims that PKR has apologised to the PAS Permatang Pauh division over the party’s non-support for hudud and the tiff is now settled.

 

Mat Sabu said the issue of PKR’s apology does not arise when the division has agreed to support PKR candidate Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail with the parliamentary seat that goes to  the polls on May 7.

 

“It’s settled. Differences of opinions like this would occur until the end of time.

"As human beings, we find ways to resolve the issues,” he said at a press conference at the Dewan Haji Yusof Ar-Rawa, Sama Gagah, last night.

 

As a result Permatang Pauh division chief Omar Hassan, who was also present, urged members including the women’s wing (Muslimat) to activate their election machineries at all branches to help Azizah defend the Permatang Pauh seat.

 

“After hearing all the clarifications from Azmin and Kak Wan with such attention and harmony, about the issue that had flared up, we have come to an agreement. We agree to disagree (over hudud),” said Omar.

 

“We agree to disagree that PKR leaders, as Muslims, cannot reject hudud,” he said.

 

The call comes as the campaign period enters its second day after nominations yesterday, with four candidates including Azizah and BN’s Suhaimi Safudin vying for the 70,000-odd voters.

 

Omar said his division has “agreed to disagree” with PKR as the latter’s deputy chief Azmin Ali has already clarified the party’s stand on hudud, Omar told the 200 members who filled the dewan.

 

He said the decision came following a meeting held with PKR on Friday night.

 

Meeting smoothes ruffles

 

That night, PAS and PKR met in Seberang Jaya, two hours ahead of the Azizah’s candidacy announcement .

 

Omar said the meeting chaired by Mat Sabu was conducted in a “detailed but harmonious” manner.

 

The division had earlier threatened to boycott the campaign unless Azizah apologised for PKR’s non-support of president Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill on hudud in Parliament.

 

Omar’s remarks follow Azmin’s denial on Friday that PKR had apologised to PAS, saying both parties merely had a “clarification meeting”.

The issue rose when the Sun quoted PAS Permatang Pauh division information chief Jamsari Samad reportedly saying that Azmin had tendered a private apology to PAS over his party's public stand on hudud.