PETALING JAYA: PAS members have been urged to remain calm amid the political turmoil in Perlis following the replacement of its mentri besar, says deputy party president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
He said members should allow the party leadership to manage the situation carefully.
“We realised that many members and even some leaders are unhappy with what has transpired. But we must handle the situation carefully,” he was reported as saying yesterday.
According to Tuan Ibrahim, PAS respects the decision of the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail to appoint Kuala Perlis assemblyman and Perlis Bersatu chief as the Mentri Besar.
He replaced PAS’ Mohd Shukri Ramli, who resigned on Thursday, citing health reasons.
Bachok PAS MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman said the party is expected to meet to discuss its future political direction.
“A statement will be issued accordingly,” he said briefly when contacted yesterday.
Mohd Syahir, who is also political secretary to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, said PAS has always respected the democratic process and the discretionary powers of Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
Several PAS leaders criticised ally Bersatu following the swearing-in of the new Mentri Besar.
In a statement, PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said Bersatu, despite denying issuing any instructions to its leaders, had failed to act against its assemblymen who conspired against Mohd Shukri.
He added that no action had been taken, and instead, Bersatu submitted a name to be appointed as Mentri Besar.
This meant that the assemblymen’s actions were endorsed by their party, he said.
Afnan urged PAS to take over the Perikatan’s leadership from Bersatu leader Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Traitors cannot be made as friends and the weak cannot lead. To the traitors, please get out, and to the weak, please step down,” said Afnan.
Tasek Gelugor PAS Youth chief Mohamad Ikhwan Mohamad Anwar also called on the Islamist party to cut relations with Bersatu and review all appointments involving its members in Perikatan-led states.
He also called on PAS to contest all parliamentary and state seats that Bersatu previously won under the Perikatan and PAS banners in future elections.
“This is appropriate and fair following the acts of betrayal and backstabbing by Bersatu at both the federal level and in Perlis,” he said in a statement.
