PKR said it regretted the syura council’s decision to sever ties but did not take kindly to accusations made by PAS’ highest decision-making body.

“PKR expresses regret at the decision by PAS’ highest decision-making body, the syura council, but respects PAS’ freedom to determine its political stance.

“At the same time, PAS rejects the syura council’s accusations that PKR worked against the agenda of Islam, violated the ethics of political cooperation and betrayed the political relationship with PAS,” said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Saifuddin stressed that PKR has been consistent based on its record.

“PKR’s record shows it remains as a multiracial party, is committed to the people’s agenda, combats corruption, exposes the government's mismanagement and misconduct and fosters and maintain close cooperation and solidarity among fellow opposition parties,” he said.

In light of the syura council’s decision, Saifuddin said PKR will be responding with its own stance.

“PKR will immediately discuss and take a position on the decision of the PAS syura council,” he said.

The PAS syura council secretary Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh today announced that the body had endorsed the PAS muktamar’s decision to sever ties with PKR.

Nik Muhammad said there were numerous infringements of Islamic tenets with regard the previous cooperation between PAS and PKR.

He said that examples included the lack of support, and even opposition, from PKR with regards to some of the Islamic-related agendas brought forth by PAS.

As an example, he cited PAS’ move to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).

Furthermore, Nik Muhammad said PKR had violated political ethics by attacking PAS leaders and making baseless allegations which tarnished the party’s image.

In a separate statement, PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail noted that the syura council's decision came amid PKR's efforts to maintain political cooperation.

She also denied that PKR had betrayed the principles of political cooperation as charged by the syura council.

Contrary to the syura council's statement, Wan Azizah said PKR supported the strengthening of the syariah courts.

"PKR upholds, in principle, the efforts to strengthen the syariah courts as stressed as (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim in his statement on April 8, which is also PKR's stance," she said.

Anwar has called for a more holistic approach to the syariah court reforms instead of only focusing on punishments, as proposed by PAS.

Wan Azizah stressed that all electoral actions undertaken by PKR, including the the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections, were aimed at fighting BN.

Despite the syura council decision, Wan Azizah said it will not affect the Selangor government.

"The Selangor government under the leadership of Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali will continue to function as usual to develop the state and bring prosperity to the people," she said.

Wan Azizah also reiterated PKR's commitment to combat corruption and battle the "kleptocratic" BN government.

"To this noble end, all progressive political parties must join forces to save Malaysia by setting aside their respective interest and prioritising the people's agenda as our common ground," she said.