PETALING JAYA: A PAS leader has described claims that Perikatan Nasional would lose over 30 seats if Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar were appointed coalition chairman as unrealistic and a personal opinion.
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was commenting on the remarks attributed to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s son-in-law.
He said Samsuri’s leadership record in Terengganu contradicted such claims, noting that he had led PAS to achieve a clean sweep of both state and parliamentary seats.
"To suggest that Perikatan would decline simply because of his leadership does not reflect reality.
"That opinion does not represent the party’s position," he said, adding that individuals were entitled to express personal views.
He stressed that Perikatan’s priority was unity and strengthening itself ahead of the 16th General Election.
"What matters is commitment to strengthening Perikatan, and once the top leadership of each party makes a decision, we support it and move forward together," he said.
Meanwhile, he said that Umno must be consistent and committed in championing race and religion at all levels.
Tuan Ibrahim lauded Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's decision to step down as a Melaka executive councillor.
"What happened in Melaka is not enough. If there is a commitment to oppose any extreme actions, particularly involving leaders from DAP, it must be reflected at the central level and in other states such as Perak, Pahang and Selangor," he told reporters at the Malam Cinta Gaza event on Thursday (Jan 15) night.
He said Dr Akmal's decision should not be an isolated one, and stressed that as a party which claims to champion religion and race, Umno must translate its principles into concrete action even up to the federal level.
He also said a symbolic action was insufficient without concrete follow-up measures.
"There must be real action. If it is merely a resignation from an exco post, what impact does that have on the party, particularly Umno?
"While it is his personal right, the action must carry meaningful implications and reflect the commitment Umno Youth claims to uphold," he said.
Dr Akmal has stepped down as a Melaka exco member but remains Umno Youth chief.
In his speech at the start of the wing’s meeting during the Umno general assembly on Thursday (Jan 15), Dr Akmal had said he was stepping aside from his exco post to "fight DAP to the end".
His resignation as rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman will take effect next week.
On the Melaka state election, he said it should be held this year as the state government’s term would be ending.
He said that Perikatan parties in Melaka had begun preparations, and hoped that cooperation within the coalition would continue to strengthen.
"We are ready. Whether the federal level decides to align with Melaka’s timeline is another matter, but PAS has no issue with the timing and is prepared whenever the election is called," he said.
The previous Melaka election was held on Nov 20, 2021.
