PETALING JAYA: PAS has called on Umno to explain claims that Umno MPs have shifted support from the Prime Minister.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan (pic) said if this was indeed true, then Umno, its partner in Muafakat Nasional, had gone against their understanding and agreement signed in a joint charter last year.
“It should be remembered that the Muafakat Nasional joint charter was crafted based on the goals to unite the Muslims in the country, as well as trying to defeat Pakatan Harapan led by PKR, DAP and Amanah.
“As such, if the transition (in support) is real, then it can be considered as a movement intended to overthrow the Perikatan Nasional government, built on the consensus of Barisan Nasional, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and a few other parties following the fall of Pakatan.
“As such, PAS hopes to get a clear explanation from Umno, as its partner in Muafakat Nasional, and invite Umno to re-affirm the desire and commitment that has been agreed upon,” said Takiyuddin in a statement on Friday (Sept 25).
On Wednesday (Sept 23), Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said the party would not stop its MPs from backing PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.
Zahid had said he was informed that some Umno and Barisan MPs had expressed their support for Anwar.
He said he “respects their stand”.
The Bagan Datuk lawmaker added that Umno and Barisan were not components of Perikatan, but supported it in Parliament.
He said Perikatan was formed based on the support of individual MPs only.
Earlier on Wednesday, Anwar claimed he had a “strong and formidable majority” to form the next government.
However, he stopped short at revealing the number he had, adding that he would first seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who has been undergoing treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) since Monday (Sept 21). -The Star.