PAS moves to distance party from viral WhatsApp text

PAS has moved to diffuse tension over a controversial WhatsApp message from a central committee member, saying that the scenario outlined for the party in the message, if it left Pakatan Rakyat, was not its stand.

Its Research Centre executive director, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, said Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki's opinion in the WhatsApp message, which has gone viral, was not backed up by the centre’s findings.

Zuhdi, who is the research centre's operations director, said if PAS left Pakatan and joined forces with Umno, the new pact could still govern Selangor with Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim remaining as menteri besar as a state government with a simple majority.

Dzulkefly said that Zuhdi's opinion was a private one, made informally, adding that PAS – which allowed its members to have differing opinions – could not be held responsible for any controversial statements or private analysis of its members.

"I would like to stress that the scenario described by Dr Zuhdi does not reflect PAS's stand and also does not represent the findings of the PAS Research Centre," he said in a statement today.

"In the context of the controversial discussion in the PAS central committee WhatsApp group, I would like to emphasise that this scenario was not the only one raised in his 'planning scenario'.”

Other scenarios were also discussed in the group, including the "worst case" scenario should the Islamist party leave Pakatan Rakyat.

"PAS will still stand steadfastly with Pakatan Rakyat, carrying the common policy framework together as has been stressed repeatedly by PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and president (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang)," Dzulkefly added.

PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli today demand that PAS take disciplinary action against Zuhdi.

He also hit out at  Zuhdi for the racial and religious tone in the leaked message.

"What is the disciplinary action to be taken against Zuhdi, who had suggested a treacherous proposal, going against the agreement inked between PAS and Pakatan and the people who had voted for PAS and Pakatan?

"We want to know how many from the PAS central leadership hold such racist and anti-democratic views like Zuhdi," he said in a statement today.

The question of PAS leaving the loose coalition arose in recent days following the party's resistance to PKR's plan on removing Khalid as Selangor MB and replacing him with PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Hadi had publicly backed Khalid, causing friction among PKR and PAS.

Zuhdi, had also said that if PAS left PR, its alliance with Umno could brush off complaints by DAP, churches and non-Muslims about issues concerning the use of the word “Allah” and the seizure of Bibles by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department.

In a Facebook posting, Zuhdi had also lashed out at opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, calling him a "dictator" for the way he managed PR.

He also said that his Hari Raya wish was for Anwar to retire. – July 29, 2014.