PAS wants Umno to clarify reports that its Members of Parliament are purportedly backing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the next Prime Minister.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said the development warrants an explanation from Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“PAS feels that if (the news) is indeed true…Umno has breached the understanding and agreement enshrined in the Muafakat Nasional (MN) charter that was signed on Sept 14 last year.
If Umno pulls support for Muhyidin, it’d also break the truce signed with Perikatan Nasional, said Takiyuddin.
“It should be remembered that the MN charter was developed based on the aim to unite the Muslims in the country, and at the same time, to defeat Pakatan Harapan, led by PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara.
“Therefore, if this shift (of support) is true, it can be taken as a movement with an aim to topple the PN government that was built on the consensus of BN, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and a few other parties after the fall of Pakatan Harapan.”
Takiyuddin added that PAS hopes to get an explanation with absolute clarity from Umno regarding the matter.
“PAS hopes to receive a truly clear explanation from Umno, based on the consensus as partners in MN, and we would like to invite Umno to return to appreciating the intentions and commitment that were agreed upon together,” he said.
Takiyuddin’s statement came after BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s claim on Wednesday that a big chunk of Umno and its coalition’s MPs have thrown their support behind Anwar.
Zahid’s statement came on the same day that Anwar, who is PKR president, announced that he has obtained “strong, formidable and convincing” support from MPs in the Dewan Rakyat to form a government.
Soon after Anwar’s announcement, both DAP and Amanah issued statements pledging their support for him.
GPS, however, pledged its support for Muhyiddin.