It is curious that PAS, which should focussing its attention to defeating its arch enemy Umno, is more interested in attacking fellow opposition outfit Parti Amanah Negara.

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said he was weary of quarrelling with PAS, but the latter’s incessant attacks against Amanah as “traitors” deserved a response.

“Sadly, in the face of government mismanagement, deepening racism, 1MDB and so on, PAS appears to be unable to talk about anything other than Amanah,” said Khalid in a statement .

“They continue to slander us and call us insulting names,” he lamented.

He was responding to a videoclip of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s speech that the party circulated on Friday saying the Islamic party would not work with those who had “betrayed the Islamic struggle” and that ex-PAS breakaways are traitors.

He speculated that Amanah’s alleged treachery would be the excuse PAS would use to opt out of the new opposition coalition.

“I predict there is a great possibility that Amanah will be blamed for PAS’ refusal to join a Pakatan 2.0.

“When in reality, it is the PAS president who has lost interest in Pakatan, and is more keen on working with the opponents (‘ pihak lawan ’),” he mused.

‘Who's the traitor, Hadi?’

Khalid said Hadi himself was no stranger to treachery as shown by instances such as the three-cornered fight in Kota Damansara during the 13th general election.

“What is a little curious to me is how Hadi’s tough and uncompromising stand against ‘traitors’ did not stop the PAS president himself from betraying Pakatan,” quipped Khalid.

“And he has done it (betrayed Pakatan) not once, but repeatedly!” he added.

He recounted how Hadi had betrayed an agreement on all levels that Kota Damansara would be PKR’s seat, and his son-in-law had gone ahead to contest under PAS, which split the votes to hand Umno its victory.

Khalid also reminded how Hadi had betrayed Pakatan Selangor when he purportedly sided with Umno Selangor assemblypersons to keep former menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, then sacked from PKR, in power using their collective seat numbers.

This, he said, was the “biggest act of betrayal” on Hadi’s part.

‘Traitors hailed saviours’

The Shah Alam MP noted how Amanah leaders had been accused of betrayal simply for “opposing PAS’ betrayal to Pakatan Rakyat”.

“Those who oppose betrayal is considered a traitor, and those who defend betrayal is considered the saviours,” he quipped.

“With such an attitude, it wouldn’t be wrong to ask what place PAS has left in the country’s political future?”