UPDATED
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — PAS, which is facing what could be its worst crisis yet, will hold a series of meetings with coalition partners as well as among its top leaders to defuse tensions over the proposed unity government talks with Umno.
Party leaders said that at least four meetings have been scheduled, starting with a meeting involving PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP in Parliament on Monday.
The meeting will be the venue for PAS to state its stand on the unity talks issue, they said.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali told Bernama that besides him, the party would be represented by president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa and two vice-presidents.
This will be followed by PAS special central working committee meeting at its headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut at about 8.30pm.
“Normally, we will discuss things at length ... this is definitely going to be a long meeting,” Mustafa said.
He declined to reveal details of the meeting but party sources said it would discuss, among other things, the need to cool things down following the fallout from the proposed unity talks and to discuss the recent outbursts of the party’s top religious leader, Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat.
Nik Aziz had asked Nasharudin to quit the party and join Umno if he insisted on pursuing the idea of a unity government with Umno.
Apart from the two meetings, a meeting involving Nik Aziz, Nasharudin and Abdul Hadi was also being proposed so that they could thrash out their differences over the divisive unity talks issue.
Mustafa did not say when the meeting would take place but party leaders said it could be held sometime next week.
Mustafa did not say when the meeting would take place but party leaders said it could be held sometime next week.
Nik Aziz is now joined by 10 PAS members of parliament, led by Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Md Ramli, in opposing the idea of a unity government, which was mooted by Abdul Hadi.
Party sources said PAS was also planning a special retreat for its top leaders after the Manik Urai state by-election next month in a move to strengthen the party.
The two-day retreat is expected to be held from July 18 at an undisclosed location, with the party’s newly appointed information chief, Idris Ahmad, given the task to organise the event.
Idris declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Bernama.
In a statement carried by the online version of the party’s organ, Harakahdaily.net, Idris describes the rift as a test of the leadership’s maturity. – Bernama
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Same as Aminah case in Penanti.
BN is trying to call for 'unity' after lost 2/3 majority.
Why not yrs ago?