A group calling themselves "low-level PAS members" held a rally in Penang yesterday urging the party’s top leadership to reconsider being Pakatan Rakyat’s ally.

NONE The group said the call follows opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s ( right ) reluctance to withdraw his statement purportedly supporting Israel, as reported in an interview with the Asian Wall Street Journal .

The group of 30 protesters held a 30-minute rally at the Masjid Shiekh Yussof in Jalan Datuk Keramat, which ended peacefully. They held up their hands in prayer and urged Anwar to repent and return to the Islamic faith.

The former Penang PAS Youth chief Mohamed Hafiz Nordin said the statement by Anwar was not only “rude but hurt the feelings of all Muslims in the whole world".

“The remark is also clearly against PAS struggle to uphold the religion of Islam,” he added, during the protest.

Mohamed Hafiz said Anwar’s behaviour has to be viewed seriously by the PAS leadership as it is clearly against the Islamic faith, and should not be tolerated any longer.

He also cast doubts over Anwar’s leadership if the Permatang Pauh MP manages to lead Pakatan and seize Putrajaya in the coming general election.

“Just imagine if Anwar becomes prime minister. He would surely recognise Israel and establish diplomatic ties with the country.

“Perhaps, Israel may even open an embassy in Kuala Lumpur," added the Bagan Ajam PAS information chief.

Anwar's statement taken out of context

Anwar has since clarified that his remarks supporting “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel” in the international newspaper had been taken out of context.

He added that this support is contingent on the creation of an independent Palestine state and respecting the rights of its people based on the two-state solution, adding that his stance was similar to the Malaysian government’s.

Mohamed Hafiz called upon PAS spiritual head and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, and PAS chief Abdul Hadi Awang to ignore their allies in Pakatan when deciding whether to leave the coalition over Anwar’s statement.

He said the decision whether to stick to Pakatan in the future must be based on PAS’ Islam struggle, adding that PAS need no longer tolerate the PKR supremo as his "recent comments on Israel revealed his true personality".

Mohamed Haziz urged PAS to severe ties with Anwar and PKR as the latter’s speech has disparaged Islam and tarnished the purity of the religion.

“Why do we need to tolerate someone who recognises the Jews and Israel? Don’t we have any pride to uphold Islam ourselves?

“I hope PAS would not be lenient with him,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Hafiz also sent a message to Permatang Pauh voters, urging them to stop supporting Anwar. He said that if Anwar continues to be supported, the country may one day suffer the fate of the Palestinians.

“Do not even give him one vote,” he told Permatang Pauh voters, adding “Anwar ought to withdraw his statement and apologise to the entire Muslim community for his outrageous remarks.”