Former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu disagreed with party president Abdul Hadi Awang who insisted that the Pakatan Rakyat coalition still exists.

 

Mohamad said the political reality showed that Pakatan - formed by PAS, DAP and PKR after their impressive showing at the 12th general election in 2008 - is no more.

 

"Pakatan has broken up, whether it is dead or merely ‘pengsan’ (unconscious), it is already broken.

 

“So if he wants to interpret it as it still exists, you should ask him (Abdul Hadi) for an explanation. For me, Pakatan is no more," he told reporters after his Ramadan sermon in Shah Alam last night.

 

The former Penang PAS commissioner is responding to Abdul Hadi's statement yesterday that Pakatan is alive although DAP, its partner in the opposition pact, has declared that the coalition no longer exists.

 

Hadi also argued that DAP had no right to make the announcement on Pakatan’s dissolution and claimed that its former ally failed to understand the meaning of a political pact, causing it to act in a hasty manner.

 

Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, along with others from the progressive faction in PAS, lost in the party's elections two weeks ago.

 

He said a month can make a big difference in the country's political landscape.

 

"I heard that many people are mooting a new party. I am observing and reviewing (my options). I will also meet friends to discuss our future decision.

 

"We will see - after ‘raya’ (Aidilfitri celebrations). It is not long. We will make a decision whether to continue as ordinary members (of PAS) or to be with an NGO or even striking out on a new life," he said.

 

No confidence vote in S’gor

 

Mohamad told Malaysiakini earlier that he had three options - to continue in PAS as an ordinary member, to participate in an NGO, or join a new party which is more in line with the aspirations of Pakatan.

 

Mohamad denied that he was bitter about losing his deputy presidency, a post which he held for two terms.

 

"I am used to losing in the polls. I lost as Youth chief, central committee member. I even lost twice in my bid for the vice-president’s post before eventually winning it."

 

He nevertheless described the results of the party polls as akin to 'ethnic cleansing' where the progressives were completely routed by the ulama faction.

 

Commenting on the former Pakatan government in Selangor, Mohamad said the state government led by Menteri Besar Azmin Ali should not face any problem to continue ruling unless there is ‘no confidence vote’ in the state assembly.

 

"Whatever happens, Azmin Ali will remain as MB. The parties in ex-Pakatan Rakyat can exist as a ‘mixed’ government or use any formula to govern because as long as there was no 'no confidence vote', Azmin will have majority support and can continue his job," Mohamad said.

 

PKR has 13 seats while PAS and DAP have 15 seats each in the 56-seat state assembly. The opposition Umno has 12 along with an independent member.