In a statement issued by its political bureau, Bersatu said it sought to clarify Hadi’s remarks and avoid “misunderstandings and negative perceptions” of the coalition.
This comes after Hadi said PAS was reassessing its ties with Bersatu, including the possibility of contesting the next general election without Muhyiddin Yassin’s party.
On the Negeri Sembilan political crisis, Bersatu denied claims that it had acted unilaterally or backed down from an agreement with Umno to form a new state government.
The party said its secretary-general, Azmin Ali, and PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had worked closely from the outset to manage the issue.
It said both parties had initially agreed that the state’s five PN assemblymen would cooperate with the 14 Umno assemblymen to ensure political stability.
However, the situation changed after Umno decided to remain with the Pakatan Harapan-led Negeri Sembilan government, it said.
Bersatu claimed its leaders repeatedly attempted to contact PAS to establish a joint position on the matter but did not receive any response.
Bersatu also denied betraying PAS in the Perlis controversy, saying it had acted with decorum and order in upholding the royal decree.
“The accusation that Bersatu assemblymen withdrew their support from the menteri besar and PAS is untrue. They merely left it to the wisdom of the Raja of Perlis to resolve the state’s political troubles,” it said.
It said the Raja of Perlis had also granted an audience to the presidents of both parties on Oct 25 last year to discuss the menteri besar’s position, but Hadi was unable to show up.
Bersatu also denied claims that it lacked election machinery despite demanding many seats in elections, saying it continued to strengthen its grassroots network and was receiving hundreds of new membership applications every day.
On disciplinary action against several Bersatu representatives in Kedah and Kelantan, the party said the decisions were made in accordance with its constitution and based on investigations by its disciplinary board.
Bersatu said PAS should respect and not interfere in the internal disciplinary matters of other PN component parties, noting that the Registrar of Societies had confirmed the actions complied with the party’s constitution.
The party also denied allegations that it had blocked other Malay-Muslim parties from joining PN, saying the coalition had collectively agreed to first explore electoral cooperation before considering full membership applications.
Bersatu said all major PN decisions should continue to be discussed and decided through consensus within the coalition’s Supreme Council.
“It is inappropriate for Supreme Council decisions to be challenged or disputed outside the council in a way that suggests a party president has veto power,” it said.