It was only a study, Zuhdi says of contentious WhatsApp texts

Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki today defended his controversial WhatsApp messages, in which he had discussed possible scenarios if the party was to leave Pakatan Rakyat, saying he was asked by others in the group to analyse the situation in Selangor.

The PAS research centre operations director said the screenshot of his analysis on the WhatsApp group, which had gone viral, was based on the proposal of a senior PAS leader who had put forward a motion for PAS to leave the PR coalition.

"The discussion which was leaked was my response to members of the WhatsApp group who had asked me to present a 'scenario analysis' about the proposal by a PAS leader to leave PR.

"The motion to leave PR was strongly supported by not less than 10 members in the WhatsApp group, many of whom are close to (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim," he said in a statement, adding that he was not one of the 10 who had supported this motion.

Zuhdi had come under fire for the WhatsApp messages, in which he said that if PAS should leave Pakatan, the party could still retain Selangor with Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim remaining as menteri besar, if it joined forces with Umno to form the state government with a simple majority.

He also said that should DAP, the church and non-Muslims bring up issues concerning the usage of the word “Allah” and the seizure of the Bibles by the state religious department, PAS-Umno would be able to frisk off their complaints.

Zuhdi said some members in the group had also suggested that the party should focus on discussing whether or not to leave PR in its central leadership meeting on August 10, instead of the Selangor menteri besar crisis.

"There were some who had said that it was better for PAS to be alone so that its members were freer to criticise and prevent vices as how it was known for previously."

Zuhdi said he suggested that they do a "scenario analysis" of what would happen if PAS opted out of the PR coalition that formed the Selangor state government, the acceptance of other members and others.

"This suggestion was welcomed by all and I was asked to present it. As such, I began making brief analysis, imagining the possible scenarios if PAS left PR. Besides current facts, the imagination of the analyst has to be taken into account. "

Zuhdi said that in the leaked discussion, he had presented a scenario, from the perspective of the state government's position and PAS's freedom in facing DAP and other parties which can be achieved if they left PR.

He also hit out at the person who had leaked the Whatsapp messages, saying that he believed it was done by someone in the PAS Central Committee WhatsApp group.

"This shows that the individual is really rotten. It was done to link my name to the proposal to bring PAS out of PR after I had strongly criticised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the MB crisis in Selangor."

He added that he hoped that his name would be cleared following his explanation over the matter.

DAP and PKR had called on the leadership of PAS to make a firm stand over the issue, with DAP's Anthony Loke saying that its proposal to join Umno to form the Selangor state government is a betrayal to PR and to the people of Selangor.

PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli called on PAS to take disciplinary action against Zuhdi and hit out at him for the racial and religious tone in the leaked message. – July 29, 2014.