FORMER PAS leader Mahfuz Omar has joined Amanah, ending weeks of speculation about where he would go after leaving the Islamist party more than two months ago.

The Poko Sena MP, who was with PAS for 34 years, said he is ready to bring change to the country with the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

“Effective today, I am a member of Amanah. My stint as an independent has ended,” he told reporters in Parliament today.

“I am ready to bring changes to the country with my friends in PH.”

PH comprise PKR, DAP, Bersatu and Amanah.

Mahfuz announced his resignation from PAS on December 31 last year, citing differences with the party leadership.

Following Mahfuz’s lead today is former PAS central committee member Dr Rosli Yaakop, who was also managing director of the Islamist party’s mouthpiece, Harakah.

“It’s clear the PAS is a crutch for the ruling Umno-Barisan Nasional, which is benefiting from the party,” said Mahfuz.

“The PAS leadership envisions playing a kingmaker role (in the 14th general election) and winning 40 (parliamentary) seat,” said the new Amanah member, who had previously openly lobbied for PAS to work with PH.

Present were PH leaders Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Hatta Ramli, Mohamad Sabu, Salahuddin Ayub, Khalid Abdul Samad, Teresa Kok, Lim Lip Eng, Nurul Izzah Anwar and Wong Chen.

Mahfuz’s decision to quit PAS is said to be due to pressure from the party’s grassroots, upset at his support for cooperation between PAS and the main opposition bloc.

He is also known for frequently going against the party leadership.

Mahfuz was seen to be among the last of PAS’ progressive leaders, many of whom left in 2015 following internal disputes.

Mohamad, or better known as Mat Sabu, left his post as PAS deputy president to set up Amanah, along with other defectors.

After this year’s PAS muktamar, the party announced that it will form and lead new opposition coalition Gagasan Sejahtera into GE14.

There had been rumours that Mahfuz would join Bersatu after the Umno offshoot was formed in 2016, as he was often seen at the party’s events and had declared support for deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir.

Mahfuz also backed Mukhriz when the latter was sacked from the Kedah menteri besar’s post in 2014.

Last November, Anak Bukit assemblyman Amiruddin Hamzah, who is also pro-PH, left PAS for Bersatu.  – March 15, 2018.