‘Technically’ out of PN? Tun Faisal turns tables on PAS

PAS could also be deemed to have "technically" left Perikatan Nasional (PN) if it engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations with other parties without the coalition's consent or knowledge, according to Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz. This assertion came in response to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan's earlier claim that Bersatu remained legally part of PN but had technically left the coalition following the Negeri Sembilan state election.

Tun Faisal questioned Takiyuddin about whether the same reasoning applied to PAS over alleged secret talks with outside parties, mentioning the "Bangkok Move" and earlier negotiations as examples. He also inquired if PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's actions, such as disregarding the PN Supreme Council's decisions, could result in PAS being considered as technically leaving PN.

The PN Supreme Council initially appointed PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as the opposition leader in May, but Hadi reinstated Hamzah Zainudin in June, without the council's approval. Tun Faisal criticized Hadi for bypassing the council and stated that such actions violated the PN constitution. He emphasized that decisions and actions should be based on PN's constitution rather than PAS's political interpretation.

Earlier today, Takiyuddin reiterated that Bersatu is a component party of PN legally and constitutionally, asserting that PAS's suspension of political ties with Bersatu cannot negate their status as part of the coalition. The relationship between PAS and Bersatu had been strained since the end of last year, leading to PAS ending their political cooperation with Bersatu in June.

Muhyiddin Yassin, the president of Bersatu, accused PAS of derailing the opposition coalition and described it as "toxic". In January, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed meeting several PAS and Bersatu leaders in Bangkok in December to discuss uniting the Malays through a grand coalition, which Muhyiddin alleged was part of efforts to restructure the government. Hadi's dismissal from the party in February followed these alleged talks.