PAS vice-president Iskandar Abdul Samad’s rationale for not attending the launching of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) could signal the party leaders’ intention in quitting their posts as Selangor state executive councillors.

This is according to PAS Pokok Sena parliamentarian Mahfuz Omar who questioned Iskandar for saying PAS’ absence was because both Amanah and DAP attended the event at Stadium Malawati on Jan 14.

“His explanation was quite shocking and will create a huge risk on the political continuity of Selangor PAS, particularly PAS' status in the Selangor government,” Mahfuz said in a statement yesterday.

“The remark was as though sending a signal to Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali that the three state executive councillors from PAS would not attend the exco meeting in future and they might even relinquish their posts as state executive councillors,” he said.

Iskandar, who is also a Selangor exco member, made it sound like all local PAS councillors in Selangor would do the same as the exco members, as there are DAP representatives and a few Amanah representatives in all local councils in the state, Mahfuz said.

He also said Iskandar’s statement implied that PAS would end all dealings with PKR and would decline to work with Bersatu as both those parties have a political relationship with DAP and Amanah through a memorandum of understanding.

“It is not impossible that, for the sake of dignity, Iskandar would do this so that he would not be accused like he was by a PAS Selangor dewan ulama representative in 2016, who said that those who defended the Selangor government care more about their positions,” he said.

The accusations had spurred Iskandar to react back then by saying those who made such allegations have actually been in a “perigi buta” (dry well) since 2008.

“The question is whether Iskandar and PAS representatives in Selangor are ready to jump back into the ‘perigi buta’?” Mahfuz questioned.

Bersatu’s official launch last Saturday saw PKR, Amanah and DAP leaders in attendance.

Mahfuz had also attended the launch, though he said he did so in his personal capacity.