PETALING JAYA: PAS’ decision to reappoint Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as Opposition Leader was made without proper consultation and against a previous decision by the Perikatan Nasional supreme council.
Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz claimed PAS had acted unilaterally in the matter, including in relation to the announcement that Parti Wawasan Negara was allowed to use the Perikatan logo in the coming states polls.
“These two announcements not only disregard the principles of consensus and unity that have long underpinned Perikatan but also run contrary to the coalition’s constitution,” he said.
Tun Faisal was referring to what he described as unilateral decisions by the president of a component party, which contradicted previous decisions made by the Perikatan supreme council and appeared to pre-empt it.
He noted that the supreme council had decided on March 14 that a PAS lawmaker would be appointed as Opposition Leader after Hamzah lost the post following his expulsion by Bersatu.
He also said Perikatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had stated on May 16 that the coalition was open to electoral cooperation or pacts with other parties and individuals who share its principles and vision.
“It was stated that non-member parties may negotiate through a committee that would set the terms and conditions.
“However, there is still no indication that such a committee has been formed,” he added.
On Saturday, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said it had agreed to reappoint Hamzah as Opposition Leader after consulting not only its own lawmakers but also those from parties aligned with Perikatan.
He also announced that Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar would remain Perikatan chairman. Ahmad Samsuri was previously named Opposition Leader by the Perikatan supreme council to replace Hamzah.
Tun Faisal also claimed this was not the first time PAS had acted unilaterally, alleging its involvement in the “Bangkok Move”.
“PAS has likewise repeatedly spoken of its desire to revive Muafakat Nasional together with Umno. Neither of these matters was ever discussed at Perikatan’s supreme council,” he said.
