SO KIND OF UMNO TO CARE! PAS a victim of PKR, DAP bullying - Utusan spins to split Pakatan

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno-controlled Utusan Malaysia batted for PAS today, drawing a picture of the Islamist party under the heel of its two political partners which seek to dominate the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) federal opposition pact.

In an editorial piece, Awang Selamat — the pseudonym used to represent the collective voice of the Malay paper’s editors — wrote that PKR, who wants to be the “taiko” or big brother in the coalition’s decisions, would gang up on PAS with the secular DAP.

“If you observe, even with any issues, the two parties are always united to pressure PAS. They never want to respect PAS’ stance or decision.

“This is also PKR’s attitude; PAS is forced to follow the party’s directives and if PAS’ decision is not in line with PKR’s demands, then PAS party leaders would be condemned non-stop.

“It is already evident in the struggle over the Selangor Mentri Besar post,” Awang said.

The disagreement played out publicly between PKR and PAS only confirms the “suspicions of certain quarters” that the two parties are not meant to work together, the editorial said without specifying anyone.

“In politics, anything can happen, the goal to hunt and fight for power has united them but that won’t last. I do not know how long this partnership will last, but what is certain is that their disputes have become increasingly public.

“Leaders in both parties, especially at the state level are criticising each other while at the central level, PKR leaders have no respect for the highest leaders in PAS,” Awang wrote.

For over a month, the PR pact has struggled to come together to deal with a rogue mentri besar only to be seen bickering among themselves at almost every step of the way.

First, the three-parties locked horns over Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s ouster, with PAS leaders saying there was no need to rush the second-term mentri besar’s removal.

But PKR insisted Khalid must go, even going as far as to compile a list of reasons to explain the ouster, which included allegations that the 67-year-old had engaged in dubious dealings for personal gain.

PKR finally sacked Khalid from the party but the move did not end the internal fight within the pact as the three parties quibbled over who to elect as the next leader of Malaysia’s most prosperous state.

PAS raised hue and cry over PKR’s choice — party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail — and demanded that a second candidate be proposed to the Selangor Sultan for consideration.

After over a month of disagreements, the three PR parties finally agreed on August 17 to demand Khalid’s resignation from office, saying he no longer commanded the confidence of the state’s lawmakers.

Of the 56 seats in the assembly, DAP and PAS have 15 seats each while PKR now has 13, excluding Khalid. The remaining 12 seats are Umno’s. -Malay Mail