PAS leaders, including its elected reps in at least four states, are unhappy with the direction the Islamist party is taking ahead of the 14 general election, said Kedah opposition leader Amiruddin Hamzah, who quit PAS to join Bersatu last Sunday.

They are especially unhappy with the party’s decision to split the opposition, by forming a third coalition, Gagasan Sejahtera.

“Many may follow suit and leave the party,” Amiruddin, the Anak Bukit assemblyman, told The Malaysian Insight.

“Time will tell. Perhaps after Parliament is dissolved. There are PAS reps in Kedah, Selangor, Terengganu and Kelantan who are not sitting well.

“We will see when Parliament is dissolved. Ripples are turning into small waves and they will make bigger waves. But how soon, I don’t know.”

Amiruddin is the latest leader to leave PAS for a party in Pakatan Harapan – the opposition coalition the Islamist party has refused to work with because of its animosity towards DAP and PAS splinter party Amanah.

He lost in the party polls at the 2015 PAS Muktamar that saw the progressive faction being wiped out, and the takeover by the ulama and conservative faction.

The muktamar that year also brought the collapse of the old Pakatan Rakyat coalition after PAS ended ties with DAP.

Difficulties in a different PAS

Knowing that he could not go along with PAS’ new policies and direction, Amiruddin declined all offers for party positions in 2015, and quit as Kuala Kedah PAS division chief last year.

Although he did not quit PAS, he still had a tough time as his stance differed from the party’s central leadership.

“As state opposition leader, I had no trouble. I could still get my PAS, DAP and PKR colleagues and even (Bersatu deputy president and Ayer Hitam assemblyman) Mukhriz Mahathir to attend pre-council meetings before state assembly sittings or come to press conferences.

“But outside that, things were difficult. So much so, that I resigned as Kuala Kedah chief,” Amiruddin said.

After resigning, he began attending programmes by DAP, Amanah, PKR and non-governmental organisations that supported a change in government in Putrajaya.

“I went as far as openly declaring my support for PH to the dismay of PAS. But the party did not take action against me. It had enough reason to do so,” he said.

Shattered hopes

Amiruddin continued to stay with PAS, harbouring hopes that the party’s central leadership would eventually change its mind and return to the opposition coalition.

But it became increasingly difficult after PAS broke ties with PKR earlier this year.

“The break-up with DAP was expected as the relationship between PAS and DAP had always been in choppy waters. But PAS’ decision to break ties with PKR never crossed my mind. 

“You can say that, that was the final straw that broke the camel’s back for me…PAS doesn’t have anyone else,” he said.

Amiruddin said there must be a concerted effort among opposition parties if they were to take down Barisan Nasional.

“We had Barisan Alternatif and then PR. That is the way forward, not breaking ties with your allies.

“Even (former prime minister-turned PH chairman) Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who led the BN government for 22 years, said it was not BN that was strong, but it was an opposition in disarray that helped keep BN in power.”

Last Friday, Amiruddin gave it one last shot, when he met Kedah PAS commissioner Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Syeikh Fakhrurazi to urge the Islamist party to work with PH and ensure straight fights against BN in the next general election, at least in the state.

But he was made to understand that PAS was adamant on contesting as a third force.

“I had given enough time hoping to see that happen, but in the end, things didn’t turn out that way. So, I decided to join Bersatu on Sunday.

“Some harsh comments against me followed, mostly on social media. I had prepared myself mentally for that,” he said.

Chemistry with Mukhriz

Amiruddin said he joined Bersatu thinking of removing a “kleptocratic government” and how he could contribute towards that objective.

He said getting along well with Mukhriz also influenced his decision, despite the two being on opposing sides in the Kedah government until the latter was ousted as menteri besar early last year.

“I have some chemistry with Mukhriz. We are members of the same Mara alumni association.

“He consulted me when he was about to be removed as MB. I think we can work together,” the 55-year-old UK-trained engineer said.

Kedah sentiment

Amiruddin said PH had a good chance of taking Kedah with its combined machinery, voter support and issues against BN, like the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

He said the sentiment on the ground was not so good for BN because even Umno members and supporters were making fun of their own leaders.

“Go to kenduri kahwin (wedding feasts), teh tarik stalls and you will hear Umno people making jokes about their own leaders. That never happened before.

“People talk about GST (Goods and Services Tax), 1MDB, the cost of living,” he said. – November 29, 2017.