Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) described PAS Permatang Pauh's move to cut ties with Salleh Man, the party’s sole assemblyperson in Penang, as a "good decision”.

Amanah state secretary Zahar Zainul said PAS has revealed its “true colours” in Penang and the people who had voted for the party should consider giving their votes to an alternative Islamic party.

“The decision by PAS Permatang Pauh to cut ties with Salleh is an advantage to Amanah.

“We hope those who wish to vote for an Islamic party vote for the one which will propagate the true Islam.

“Our president Mohamed Sabu has always said that one’s preaching must be in line with one’s actions,” Zahar told Malaysiakini .

When asked, Salleh merely said "I will continue to serve the people of Permatang Pasir even though PAS Permatang Pauh has cut ties with me".

The Penang Islamic Council president however was tight-lipped on whether he plans to quit PAS and join the party's splinter party Amanah.

Zahar was responding to PAS Permatang Pauh commissioner Omar Hassan ( photo ) who announced that the division was severing ties with Salleh as he has clearly expressed his support for Pakatan Harapan, led by DAP on Nov 2.

“This is not in line with PAS central leadership position, which does not recognise the Pakatan Harapan government,” Omar said in a press conference at the Dewan Yusof ar Rawa last night.

Zahar reminded Permatang Pauh voters that PAS had also rejected PKR candidate Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail during the constituency by-election in May this year.

The seat was left vacant when its former MP Anwar Ibrahim was sentenced to a five-year jail term for sodomy conviction in February.

PAS had then rejected Wan Azizah and accused the party of not supporting PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s move to table amendments to the Constitution to allow hudud law to be implemented in Kelantan.

“The question of hudud law has not arisen ever since,” Zahar noted.

He urged voters to give Amanah a chance to introduce the true nature of Islam to all, regardless of faith and ethnicity.

Amanah will work with Salleh

On whether Amanah will now invite or persuade Salleh to join the party, which was newly minted on Sept 16, Zahar said “that is his personal choice”.

“Amanah will continue to work with Salleh because he has pledged his support for the current state government under Pakatan Harapan and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“Since we are part of Pakatan Harapan, we will give Salleh our support,” he said.

Meanwhile, Permatang Pauh Amanah secretary Anuar Yusuf said PAS' decision would only minimise the party’s influence in Penang.

“The three Village Development and Security Committees (JKKK) under PAS may be vacated soon following this decision,” he said in a statement.