PKR’s top leadership reacted with calm to growing calls at the PAS Congress for the Islamist party to sever ties with the Pakatan Harapan component party, in a clear attempt to not add fuel to a difficult situation.

In fact, said party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, until the PAS Syura Council ruled on the motion to end the cooperation between the Islamist party and PKR, it was business as usual.

The reaction from Wan Azizah and Anwar Ibrahim is understandable given the delicate situation PKR would find itself in should the expected political divorce take  place.

The decision is still up to the syura council. We will wait,” said Wan Azizah, at the Shah Alam Syariah Court this morning.

“The situation in Selangor is also unique as PAS holds positions in the state government as well,” said Wan Azizah, who was there to accompany her husband Anwar Ibrahim in his qazaf (false accusation for sodomy) suit against Muhammad Shafee Abdullah.

Wan Azizah said she believed PAS was still with the opposition, although it had not joined the new coalition Pakatan Harapan, as the Islamists were also against Umno and questioning the 1MDB issue.

Asked if PAS cutting ties with PKR would affect their chances to retain Selangor in the next general election, Anwar said: “It’s up to the party’s leadership.”

“But we have a good relationship with them,” he added.

Yesterday, the Ulama Council accepted a motion by its delegates to sever ties with PKR although it said that the ultimate decision lies with the Syura Council.

Similarly at today’s PAS Youth annual congress, delegates, including one Shukri Omar from Selangor, castigated Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali for insulting the party’s ulamas (Muslim scholars).

“I warn Azmin Ali that if not for the support of our people, he would only be a one-term assemblyman (in Bukit Antarabangsa),” said Shukri. – April 28, 2017.