All quarters should be fair to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang as he has defended the concept of political cooperation ( tahaluf siyasi ).

 

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said this when asked to respond whether Hadi’s policy speech at PAS’ 61st muktamar today had meant that he wanted to dissolve ties in Pakatan Rakyat.

 

"It was clear in his speech just now, so do not interpret it as such. All quarters should be fair to him because he has asked PAS members to defend Pakatan through the concept of tahaluf siyasi .

 

"And he had stated this many times and he had used the muktamar so that all PAS members understand the need to continue the struggle through Pakatan," Azmin told reporters at the sidelines of the muktamar today.

 

Pointing out that this was a positive development, he said the Pakatan leadership should be given the opportunity to discuss matters, especially in view of the 14 th general election.

 

"Of course, there is a need for Pakatan to sit together and discuss how the three parties can continue fighting under Pakatan," he said.

'Focus on president's speech'

Asked to comment on the PAS ulama wing which had unanimously approved a motion urging the party’s central body to terminate its working relationship with DAP, Azmin said it was a motion from just one wing of the party.

 

"There are three wings. Why isn’t focus given to the president’s policy speech.

"While respect is given to all views, it is also part of the democratic process of a party.

 

"Ultimately, the president’s speech as party leader will determine the party’s future,” he said.

 

Ties between DAP and PAS continue to sour and the ongoing muktamar is expected to shape the future of the opposition coalition.

 

DAP had stated that it will decide on its future with Pakatan after PAS’ muktamar, which led some PAS members to claim that this was proof that DAP was interfering in PAS’ matters.

 

The progressive faction in PAS – favourable to the Islamist party’s continuing partnership with Pakatan – is predicted to be wiped out in the muktamar.

 

Both its Youth and Muslimat wings which had their elections yesterday witnessed the ulama faction winning top posts.