Two leading figures of the so-called progressive faction in PAS may have quit their government positions but some of those who are aligned to them are not so eager to follow suit.

Former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu and former central committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa ( photo ) quit their government positions in Penang out of respect for the party resolution passed at the muktamar to cut ties with DAP.

They reasoned the state government of Penang is led by Lim Guan Eng, who is the DAP secretary-general.

PAS member Izham Hashim, a Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) member however feels there is no need to react right away, and prefers to be cautious.

"We progressives, whatever decision we make, we will make it together," said Izham, when contacted.

He explained the "progressives" have been discussing among themselves on the next course of action.

 

However, he refused to elaborate on who was part of this group, saying coyly: "The 'we' refers to everyone in PAS."

PAS has much to lose

Several former PAS office-bearers such as former information chief Mahfuz Omar along with former central committee members Hanipa Maidin and Khalid Abdul Samad have interpreted the motion, which was passed without debate, as a decision for all party members to cut ties with DAP.

This means dropping government positions in Penang and Selangor, where DAP is part of or heading the government.

However, several of PAS' newly-elected leaders said there was no need to jump the gun as the final decision has not been made and that the Syura Council will deliberate on the matter before the central committee announces an outcome.

Even though PAS has only one state assemblyperson in the 40-member Penang state assembly, the party has over 1,000 appointments in the Penang government which means that PAS has a substantial say in state policy matters.

It also has over 5,000 appointments in the Selangor government and government-linked companies.

Should PAS decide to pull out of Pakatan Rakyat, it may result in a hung parliament in Selangor and trigger snap polls if all of its assemblypersons back the move.

Most unwilling to comment

Meanwhile, another PAS local councillor Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan said she will comply with the decision of the new PAS leadership and vowed not to quit unless instructed to.

Wan Hasrina, who is a member of the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, added that she would remain with PAS even if the new leadership decides to break away from Pakatan.

"We are still in Pakatan and we are waiting for the Syura Council to make a decision.

"But I am certain PAS will make the best decision for the future of Malaysian politics," she said.

Another MPSJ local councillor Rosharizan Mohd Roslan said he had no intentions of quitting, but declined to comment further.

Malaysiakini was able to contact several other PAS members in Selangor local councils, but they declined comment on the matter.