MARANG: The rift between PAS and Bersatu has widened further after Pas declared that the door to reconciliation between the two parties is now closed.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said this stance follows Bersatu’s decision to contest against Perikatan Nasional in the Negri Sembilan state election on Aug 1.
He said the decision was compounded by statements from Bersatu leaders regarding potential cooperation with Pakatan Harapan ahead of the Melaka election.
“Yes, basically they (Bersatu) contested against us in the Negri Sembilan state election. And there are statements indicating they want to join PH,” he said.
He said this when met after delivering a lecture at Masjid Rusila here today.
The Marang member of parliament was responding to questions on whether room for peace between Pas and Bersatu had been completely shut.
On June 8, the PAS Central Working Committee special meeting decided to end political cooperation with Bersatu after assessing reports, studies, and evaluations regarding the direction of their partnership.
In the Aug 1 Negri Sembilan election, Bersatu contested under its own logo after claiming it was excluded from PN seat distribution negotiations.
Meanwhile, Melaka Bersatu information chief Hishamuddin Abdul Karim was reported as saying that the party remains open to discussions with aligned parties, including PH, ahead of the Melaka election.
However, he said any electoral cooperation must exclude parties that betrayed the trust and spirit of cooperation established previously in PN.
PAS and Bersatu are currently still component parties within the PN coalition.NST
