PKR Youth deputy chief Dr Afif Bahardin said although the Permatang Pauh and Bayan Baru PAS divisions have passed a motion in their respective conferences, the onus was on the central PAS leadership to accept their motion.
Yesterday, the two PAS divisions announced that it would end its “tahaluf siyasi” with PKR, as the latter was friendly with DAP, among other reasons.
“This is not the first time they have done this. During the Permatang Pauh by-election in 2015, they announced they would split with PKR.
“With the latest motion, they would have to bring this up to the national muktamar next month, where the leadership would decide wether to split with PKR or not.
“Anyhow, we will not be deterred by this, as PKR’s focus is to ensure a Malaysia without Umno and Barisan Naional in the next election,” Afif told FMT.
In the 2015 Permatang Pauh by-election, Permatang Pauh PAS decided to sever ties with PKR, after PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail criticised PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. The PAS division was also unhappy with Wan Azizah’s refusal to support the implementation of the Islamic penal code in Kelantan.
Despite orders from PAS higher-ups to support Wan Azizah in the Permatang Pauh by-election then, the division refused to do so. However, Permatang Pauh PAS gave in after being ordered by the Syura Council, following closed-door talks between both parties.
Afif said PKR would remain steadfast in resolving bread and butter issues among the rakyat, such as increased cost of living and ensuring tertiary education for youths.
“The people are least concerned about the spat between political parties, they want to know how politicians are going to help reduce people’s suffering.
“We will follow Anwar’s words of wisdom, which is to pursue a reform agenda, working with anyone who is willing to oust BN and Umno.
“Our aim is to also woo more people to the opposition camp, encouraging them to vote in the next polls.” Afif said.