PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan’s “ex-convict” remark against PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has shown how the Islamist party has changed since it embraced Umno as an ally.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said when PAS was with Pakatan Rakyat, it stood with PKR and DAP in its demands for judicial reform.

“During that time, PAS leaders, including the late spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat until his death, consistently asserted that Anwar was a victim of slander.

“I now find it upsetting that Takiyuddin, who is a friend, has made such a remark because PAS is now on good terms with Umno.

“Even Umno leaders are not like this. So, when they are friends with Umno, they will behave in ways that even Umno does not,” he said after the PNMB Payfo launch in Kuala Lumpur today.

Takiyuddin recently questioned whether it was appropriate for Anwar to take over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir, who has promised to step down after serving for two years.

Speaking at a ceramah during the Sandakan by-election campaign, Takiyuddin had said Anwar was a convict, a status that would stick with him even after he has left prison.

“There’s someone who is very ambitious to be the prime minister. 

“(I) don’t know how he got a royal pardon to leave jail and run in the Port Dickson by-election.

“(He even) forced the incumbent MP, who won the 14th general election, to resign. He contested. He wants to be the PM,” the PAS leader had reportedly said.

PAS and PKR were allies until the former left PR – the precursor to Pakatan Harapan – in 2015, causing the opposition coalition’s collapse.

PKR and DAP went on to form Pakatan Harapan with PAS splinter party Amanah and Bersatu, which split from Umno, while PAS remained an independent opposition party.

With PH now in government since last year’s May 9 general election, PAS and Umno have formed a political cooperation to counter the new administration and its ruling parties.

PAS and Anwar have also traded barbs in the media in recent months.

Saifuddin, who is also domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, also said Takiyuddin appeared not to have a clear understanding of the law and has disrespected the Agong, who granted Anwar a full pardon last year.

He cited Article 42(1) of the federal constitution, which gives the king the power to grant pardons, reprieves and respites in respect of all offences tried by court-martial and all crimes committed in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

“The issue of whether Anwar is an ex-con or not no longer arises because he has already been pardoned and was allowed to contest in the Port Dickson by-election without any legal dispute over his status.”

Saifuddin also said Anwar was eligible to be nominated and appointed as prime minister as he is also an elected Dewan Rakyat member.

“At the same time, PH, which holds the majority in the House, also agreed since January last year that Anwar is the candidate for Malaysia’s eighth prime minister.” – May 14, 2019.