Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) chief Phahrolrazi Zawawi said discussions within PAS on whether to retain Abdul Hadi Awang as PAS president, are still ongoing.

 

“No final decision has been made yet, I did not engage (in that meeting), I was informed,” he told reporters at a press conference held in Shah Alam today.   

Prior to this, Phahrolrazi and his organisation was alleged to be among insiders who are trying to oust Hadi, whose commitment to Pakatan Rakyat is questioned by critics.

Others accused to be part of the plot to unseat Hadi are PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, vice-president Husam Musa and election director Dr Hatta Ramli.

But speaking at a press conference today, Pharolrazi ( left ), who is a former Kedah exco member, said that PasMa is only an NGO and is not backing any individuals in PAS.

“We are not involved in whatever internal politics. We are not involved. I stress this here because there are accusations that we (PasMa) want to topple the president.

“We don’t have the means to do so because this can only be determine by the delegates at a muktamar (PAS general assembly). We have no role in the rise and fall of a president,” he said.

Pharolrazi also chided Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Ab Samad for urging all Pakatan Rakyat party members not to be involved PasMa activities for the sake of the coalition.

“Why hasn’t PAS barred its members from joining Umno programmes? There is no such ban even though Umno is our main enemy.

“But there is a ban against PasMa. This is something strange,” he said.

'PAS-Umno cooperation now easier to achieve'

On a separate matter, he reiterated his stand that PAS-Umno cooperation for a unity government is now easier to achieve with the death of PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat last Thursday.

He says this is because present PAS leadership are “softer” on the issue and not uncompromising like former PAS president Mohd Fadzil Noor and Nik Aziz.

“With Nik Aziz gone, the political developments have changed. This is why I believe Pakatan’s fate is uncertain,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on Selangor PAS urging the Selangor branches of PKR and DAP to refrain from joining PasMa activities, Phahrolrazi said the party had crossed the line and should instead focus only itself.  

 

“There is no need for PAS to give orders to PKR and DAP, because they have already shown full support to PasMa,” he said.

 

Asked on the best candidate to replace opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Phahrolrazi merely said that the NGO is ready to accept the decision made by Pakatan as long as there’s consensus.

 

Meanwhile, Phahrolazi announced that the PasMa fundraising dinner will be held on Feb 27 at Dewan Sivik, Petaling Jaya.

“We hope to raise RM50,000 to cover our activities,” said PasMa secretary-general Mohd Taib bin Ahmad, adding that all Pakatan leaders and members are invited.

 

Pakatan leaders who have confirmed attendance include Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang, Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Machang MP Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.