PKR today insisted that it had never betrayed PAS nor had it countered the Islamist party’s claims with its track record.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the party had always sought to maintain the political relationship between PAS and PKR through various efforts.

“PKR acknowledges PAS Shura Council’s decision to end political cooperation, even though various efforts were made to maintain such ties in order to fulfill the people’s aspirations,” Wan Azizah said in a statement.

Her statement came hours after PAS’ Shura Council announced the decision to end ties with PKR.

The PAS spiritual arm, however, left it to the Central Committee to decide if PAS lawmakers should leave the Selangor government.

Wan Azizah said PKR was also steadfast in the conviction to strengthen the Sharia courts as shown by a statement from former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on April 8, which the party had since adopted as its official stance.

On the three-cornered fights in the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections, Wan Azizah said PKR’s objectives then were only to oppose Umno and BN.

She stressed on the need for opposition parties to put aside their differences and unite with a common framework to fight a kleptocratic BN government and save Malaysia.

Wan Azizah said the Selangor government will continue to function as usual under the leadership of Menteri Besar Azmin Ali as they have been given a mandate by the people.

She added that PKR remains fully committed to defend the Kelantan, Selangor and Penang governments.

In a separate statement, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, too, denied PAS’ claims but said he respected the Islamist party’s right to take such a political stance.

Saifuddin added that PKR had always been a party that fought for the people with their interests at heart. – May 12, 2017.