Perikatan tensions surface as Bersatu issues detailed rebuttal to PAS chief

“KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Bersatu tonight issued an open statement in response to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang following remarks touching on internal Perikatan Nasional (PN) disputes involving the coalition’s member parties. In a statement posted on Facebook, Bersatu’s political bureau said issues raised should have been discussed through internal coalition channels instead of being made public, adding that this was necessary to prevent misunderstandings and negative perceptions among members and the public. “Bersatu takes the position that these matters should have been brought to the negotiating table between both parties and resolved internally in a spirit of harmony,” it said. The bureau said it was compelled to clarify the matter after PAS made public statements, stressing that it was responding to avoid misinterpretation of Bersatu’s position. “However, since the PAS president has made public statements on the matter, the Bersatu Political Bureau is of the view that these issues must be clarified publicly to avoid misunderstandings and negative perceptions of Bersatu among party members and the public,” it said. The statement comes after Hadi was reported to have said that PAS is reviewing its political relationship with Bersatu, including cooperation within PN. On the issue of Negeri Sembilan politics, Bersatu rejected claims that it had acted unilaterally or withdrawn from agreed arrangements involving Umno and PN assemblymen in the state. The bureau said discussions on the matter had involved coordination between its leadership and PAS, and were aimed at maintaining political stability in the state. Bersatu added that both parties had initially agreed on cooperation between Perikatan Nasional assemblymen and Umno representatives to support state administration stability. However, it said the situation changed after Umno decided to remain aligned with the Pakatan Harapan-led state government in Negeri Sembilan. The bureau also said the matter had been discussed at the PN supreme council meeting on May 16, where its explanation was noted without objection. Bersatu maintained that all actions taken were part of coalition-level discussions and rejected claims that it had acted independently.

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