PasMa, the newly formed pro-Pakatan NGO, has no plan to transform into a political party to replace PAS, but it may pave the way for a splinter party, said its president Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi.

Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) was set up by PAS members to strengthen cooperation with Pakatan and to hold forum and talks, and it will seek to advocate the importance of PAS remaining in Pakatan, he said.

“In other words, our main role is to save Pakatan from breaking apart,” he told Malaysiakini , adding that the NGO will only act to provide a platform and it has no plan to turn into a political party.

“However, politics is the art of the possible. The group and leaders who participate in our forum may come up with ideas to set up a new political party to replace PAS in Pakatan in light of new developments, for instance PAS seeking to quit Pakatan,” said the Penkalan Kundor state assemblyperson.

PasMa began to gain fame over the past few days, as speculation was rife that the liberal faction in PAS plans to set up a new party to replace PAS. It is reported that PKR and DAP planned to transform the NGO into a party.

Phahrolrazi ( left ) said the NGO has no intention to topple the leadership of party president Abdul Hadi Awang and his conservative faction.

“The framework in the party cannot allow us to talk about sensitive issues, we have to refer to the party process when we need to invite anyone for a talk. So we are doing this outside the party framework,” he said.

The group mooted the formation of PasMa when it was tipped off that senior leaders in both Umno and PAS had met to discuss the formation of a unity government in Selangor, he said, but refused to divulge further details.

“Even this issue has been brought up before, it was never as worrying as now. The voices are becoming stronger, and some have begun to show off,” he said.

‘Khalid Samad supports PasMa’

 

The PAS president was reported to have made an offer to PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali to join the party and become the new mentri besar, and had brought up the possibility of forming a unity government during the party’s central committee meeting on Aug 25.

According to Phahrolrazi, some party leaders knew about the unity government plan even before PAS’ meeting.

He claimed PasMa, which consists of 50 members, mostly from PAS with one or two from PKR.

It was rumoured that PAS vice-president Husam Musa was the mastermind of the PasMa, while central committee members Khalid Abdul Samad, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Dzulkefly Ahmad are the NGO's vice-presidents. Meanwhile, another central committee member, Hatta Ramli, who helped to set up the organisation, is said to be deputy president.

However, both Khalid Samad and Mujahid have not only denied they are vice-presidents of PasMa, but also claimed ignorance about the organisation. Khalid nevertheless said he supports any effort for the party to remain in Pakatan.

“Our members and pro-tem committee members are definitely not from the central leadership (of PAS) as had been claimed in the list of office-bearers spread in the Internet and WhatsApp,” Phalrorazi  said, brushing off such claims.

“I am the highest ranking PAS leader in PasMa, I am the (Kuala Kedah) division chief,” he said.

Phalrorazi, the deputy commissioner of Kedah PAS, was deemed as the biggest threat to the late Kedah menteri besar Azizan Abdul Razak when he was in power.

PasMa is set to launch on Sept 8, and the first open forum entitled ‘PAS plus Umno: Where are we heading?’ will be held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) in Kuala Lumpur.

The panellist include Khalid Samad, Mujahid and a former syura council member, Ahmad Awang.

Prior to this, PasMa had held few discussions and a closed-door briefing on issues relating to PAS’ flip-flop decisions regarding the Selangor MB's post.

Similar forums and briefings will be organised, he said, and the group may invite PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP leaders as speakers.

When asked if they feared disciplinary action from the party, Phahrolrazi claimed they are not worried as it is not wrong for PAS members to participate in other NGOs.