PAS leader returns fire, riddles PKR with examples of 'backstabbing'

A PAS leader has listed a series of incidents where PKR purportedly betrayed the political cooperation between the two parties.

This was in response to PKR vice-president Tian Chua yesterday warning PAS not to test his party's patience following PAS setting its sights on the Permatang Pauh parliament seat in Penang.

PAS central committee Mokhtar Senik, however, urged PKR to indulge in introspection with regard to the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.

During the by-elections, PKR had supported the candidates from Parti Amanah Negara, a PAS splinter party, against PAS candidates in the Islamist party's traditional seats.

“Who seized the quota for a Selangor exco position after Azmin (Ali) became menteri besar?

“Who held clandestine meetings on the pretext of a Hari Raya function to discuss plans to form a new opposition coalition without involving PAS?

“Who challenged PAS to field candidates in all the seats PKR is contesting in the next general election...?” he asked in a Facebook posting.

Mokhtar also recalled Azmin's jibe concerning a “pak lebai” who wants to capture Selangor, which observers believed was targetted at PAS lawmaker Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.

Apart from this, he also noted PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah's stinging criticism over the allegation of PAS receiving RM90 million from 1MDB funds.

“Who openly attacked PAS even when there was political cooperation if not PKR leaders like (vice-president) Rafizi Ramli and (secretary-general) Saifuddin Nasution Ismail?” he added.

Mokhtar also asked who invited former PAS's lawmaker Kamaruddin Jaafar to join PKR in 2015.

“So who is testing whose patience?” he questioned.

“Before issuing threats to PAS, it would be best for PKR to change its attitude... stop the practice of flip-flop politics and pointing fingers at others,” he added.

Tian Chua had described the event to launch PAS' election machinery in Permatang Pauh as an act of provocation as the seat is considered symbolic to PKR.

Permatang Pauh is the power base of jailed former opposition leader and PKR de facto head Anwar Ibrahim.

The seat is currently held by Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad later denied that it was an act of provocation, explaining that the Islamist party's was launching its election machinery in all areas.