UPDATED
By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani and Adib ZalkapliKUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — An embattled Pakatan Rakyat (PR) cancelled a scheduled leadership meeting today as it tried to play down the latest rift between the DAP and the PAS-led Kedah state government over a demolished pig abattoir.
The 1pm meeting in Parliament was to discuss its long-delayed shadow committees but the Kedah DAP's move to quit the state coalition was expected to top the agenda, a week after PAS toed the line to reject unity government talks with political rivals Umno.
PR chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told reporters in Parliament today that he has heard views from both squabbling parties and described the issue as a small matter.
“The mentri besar has told me that he has given space and options on where the slaughter house could be build. I believe that we can discuss to solve this problem,” said Anwar, who is also de facto PKR leader.
The parliamentary opposition leader also said PR leaders will able to overcome this obstacle, noting that Barisan Nasional (BN) too is no different in handling such issues.
“I had been in Barisan a long time and there were many disagreement but it did not make headlines,” he said.
Anwar has had his hands full to keep the electoral pact together after its stunning win 16 months ago in Election 2008, where it captured a further four states and 82 seats in the 222-seat Parliament, denying BN its customary two-thirds majority.
However, BN has recaptured Perak after getting three PR lawmakers to quit and turn independent in the 59-seat state assembly.
Meanwhile, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang described the latest development as the second crisis of confidence for PR.
“I am shocked and surprised by the latest development which is no less than a second crisis of confidence in Pakatan Rakyat,” he told a press conference, referring to both the Kedah crisis and PAS's latest attempt to hold discussions with Umno.
“The question is whether Pakatan Rakyat can resolve it, and if there is goodwill, we are all committed to the common goal then I think we should be able to resolve it,” said Lim.
He said that he will visit Alor Star this weekend to meet state DAP leaders, “and also the people of Alor Star,” to better understand the issue.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's idea to hold unity government talks with Umno has also been a bone of contention within the electoral pact, similar to its Islamic state stand that helped break up Barisan Alternatif two years after the 1999 general election.
However, Abdul Hadi has said the Islamist party will stick with PR despite continuing overtures from Umno and talks of intellectual discussions between PAS Youth and Umno Youth scheduled after the July 14 Manek Urai by-election.
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