PAS to stay out of Perak amid talk of PKR-Umno coalition

PAS today said it would not participate in the formation of a new state government in Perak following the ouster of Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu through a motion of confidence brought by Umno.

The party’s central leadership said it supported the decision by its three state assemblymen to back Faizal.

“In line with the decision, PAS has decided not to be part of any efforts to form a new Perak state government,” said PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

The stand is consistent with PAS’ support at the federal level for the Perikatan Nasional coalition, of which the Islamist party is a component.

It also comes on the back of a call by Padang Rengas MP Nazri Aziz for Umno to cooperate with PKR and Amanah to form a new state government.

“Maybe we can work? But we haven’t decided yet. Everything is new and anything is possible,” Nazri, the former Barisan Nasional secretary-general, was quoted as saying in The Star.

However, he said DAP, with 16 seats, should not be in such a coalition because the party “is still difficult there”.

A combination of Umno with 25 seats, PKR (three) and Amanah (five) would result in a majority in the 59-member state assembly.

Faizal fell out of support with Umno over his decision to appoint Pengkalan Hulu assemblyman Aznel Ibrahim as his political secretary.

Umno had wanted the menteri besar to consult the party over the appointment.