A Penang PAS leader is shocked that his DAP comrades want their party to cut ties with PAS over the tabling and passing of the hudud law amendments in Kelantan, while some from PAS are adopting a "wait and see" approach to passing of the controversial bill.

"Wow," was PAS Penang Deputy Commissioner Mujahid Yusof Rawa’s first reaction when asked to comment about DAP leaders - Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi’s and Senator Dr Ariffin Omar's - remarks that DAP must cut ties with PAS, with Penang taking the lead.

"I consider Ooi’s (left) and Ariffin's statements as personal and very damaging to the greater interest of Pakatan Rakyat," said Mujahid, who is Parit Buntar MP.

"Why act vindictively to PAS Penang when we are not Kelantan [...] it was a state affair to table and pass the syariah law enactment at the Kelantan assembly and the process was done democratically," he added.

Ooi’s and Ariffin's remarks came after Kelantan unanimously passed amendments to the Syariah Criminal Law Enactment at the state legislative assembly today.

Cutting ties with PAS, said Ooi at a press conference in Penang, should involve suspending all collaboration and cooperation between the two parties in the state government, in two local councils (for Penang and Seberang Perai), in the village development and security committees (JKKK), as well as in state agencies like the Penang Islamic Council (Maipp).

Ariffin had proposed that a coalition between only DAP and PKR was better and that DAP will not support PAS in future elections.

'Don't be premature'

Mujahid said despite differing views between Pakatan allies on whether Kelantan should or should not table the amendments to Islamic criminal law at the state assembly, "... the Kelantan decision must be respected".

He said any decision to break or maintain ties between PAS and DAP will be decided by Pakatan Rakyat's presidential council.

"My advice is do not prematurely jump to conclusion and victimise PAS Penang," lamented Mujahid, who is PAS national unity bureau chief.

If Ooi's suggestion is adopted, PAS deputy chief Mohamed Sabu, who sits on the directors board of the Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang and Permatang Pasir assemblyman Salleh Man, president of Maipp, would have to vacate their posts.

Other PAS-appointed coordinators in Umno-held constituencies in Penang and several state liaison committee chairpersons in mosques will face removal as well.

Four other PAS-appointed councillors in the two local councils would also have to be removed if Ooi’s recommendation is adopted.