The newly formed pro-Pakatan NGO Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) will proceed with its forum tonight despite warnings from PAS leaders.
 
"Following the statement by PAS vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (left) attacking PasMa, we are therefore proceeding with the forum to clarify to society our function and leadership.
 
"Our members will also answer all accusations and skewed reports about our organisation," said PasMa secretary-general Mohd Taib Ahmad in a statement today.
 
Yesterday, Tuan Ibrahim warned PAS members not to join the NGO otherwise they should quit the Islamic party.

He later told PAS mouthpiece Harakahdaily that he was taken out of context.
 
PasMa has added a new twist to the ongoing PAS-Selangor menteri besar saga and accompanying rumours of PAS and Umno cooperation, following speculation over the past few days that a group from PAS is planning to form a new party.
 
It is speculated that PAS vice-president Husam Musa (right) is the mastermind behind PasMa, while PAS central committee members Khalid Abdul Samad, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad are the NGO's vice-presidents.
 
Meanwhile, another central committee member, Hatta Ramli, who is said to have helped to set up the organisation, is reported to be its deputy president.
 
The forum at 8pm tonight at the Kuala Lumour and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, is titled, 'Pas + Umno: Where will that lead?'

200 angry calls revives forum

PasMa originally planned to cancel its forum tonight due to panelists withdrawing, said Mohd Taib.
 
However, the organisation decided to proceed after some 200 calls were made to its president Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi in the last 24 hours, Mohd Taib told Malaysiakini.
 
"They were protesting against the cancellation of tonight's forum."
 
The two panelists who pulled out yesterday were Husam and former Ulama Council member Ahmad Awang.
 
According to Taib, Ahmad is currently in Iran to attend an international ulama forum, while no reason was given by Husam, who simply said he could not make it.
 
It was claimed that all the panell ists had asked to be excused from the forum, including PAS MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa (left).
 
However, both Mujahid and Taib denied the allegation.

Mujahid also denied he is campaigning for PasMa, but said as a member of National Unity Consultative Council, he was duty bound to engage with any NGO, regardless of its background.
 
"What's wrong with that, the issue of me being pressured doesn't arise at all," he said when asked whether the PAS leadership had advised him against attending the fotum.

Additional reporting by Kow Gah Chie.


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