Zuhdi's statement does not represent PAS, says senior leader

PETALING JAYA: A PAS senior leader has pointed out that PAS will continue its struggle along with its Pakatan Rakyat partners, DAP and PKR, despite a recent leaked Whatsapp screen shot which outlined a scenario of joining forces with Umno in Selangor, in an effort to retain embattled Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
PAS Research Centre (PPP) executive director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the statement made by PAS central committee member and PPP Operations Director Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki was of his personal view and 'informal'.
"Strictly speaking, Zuhdi's scenario planning does not represent PAS' stand or PPP's view.
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"PAS is an Islamic political party which embraces the differences of opinion. It cannot be held responsible for any statement or personal analysis by its members," Dzulkefy said in a statement.
He was commenting on the leaked screenshot of a PAS Central Committee whatsapp group, in which Zudhi had proposed a strategy where PAS, which holds 15 state seats in Selangor, exits PR and joins forces with Umno, which has 12 state seats, to form a simple majority and maintain Khalid as state Mentri Besar.
He added that based on the discussion in the PAS Central Committee whatsapp group, that scenario was not the only one discussed.
"There were other scenarios which included various possibilities including the 'worst case' scenarios which were discussed in the brainstorming session," he said.
He noted that PAS continues to uphold the struggles of PR through its Common Policy Framework as repeatedly stated by PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Meanwhile, PKR and DAP leaders within the PR partnership have voiced out their dissatisfaction over what Zudhi had written in the message.
PKR Strategic Director Rafizi Ramli had called on Abdul Hadi to take action against Zuhdi as well as other leaders who held similar views.
"Zuhdi's racist statement has damaged the views of non-Muslims towards Islam's message of mercy," he said in a statement.
Rafizi said that although differences of opinion are allowed in any organisation, Zuhdi's opinions and sentiments had gone too far, which was tantamount to a betrayal of Pakatan.
He noted that Zuhdi's statement had gone against several policies and promises made by PAS with its political partners and other NGOs, including the PR's Buku Jingga, GE13 Manifesto and PAS' decision (muktamar) not to form a unity government with Umno.
DAP Organising Secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the party was disappointed with the emergence of the screenshot - calling on PAS to take a stand to distance themselves from Zuhdi's suggestion.
"Zudhi's views have tainted PAS' positive image.
"I believe a majority of the PAS Central leadership strongly disagrees with his views," he said.
Loke noted that the 'analysis' from a PAS central committee member was irresponsible.
"Even though the suggestion to remain or step out from PR is PAS leaders' prerogative, but the thought of joining forces with Umno to form a state government is a betrayal not only to DAP and PKR, but to the Selangorians who had given a clear mandate to PR in the 13th General Elections," he said, adding that the seats won by PAS in the 13GE was a joint effort between all three parties under PR.