RECENT pixelated photos posted by PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah on his Facebook page from a Perikatan Nasional (PN) event in Sungai Bakap ahead of the by-election seem to hint at frayed relations between PAS and Bersatu, according to an analyst.

An FMT report quoted National Council of Professors fellow Dr Azmi Hassan as saying that the discord between the two Perikatan Nasional (PN) components previously surfaced during the coalition’s campaign for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in May.

Recall that Ilham Centre previously found that PAS had not mobilised its election machinery to the fullest in support of Bersatu candidate Khairul Azhari Saut despite being the backbone of PN by virtue of being the coalition’s strongest party.

The independent research centre further noted Selangor PAS did not seem aggressive in its approach, while PAS election machinery from other states was noticeably absent.

“What PAS is basically trying to show is that they can go it alone, they don’t need Bersatu. That is true in Sungai Bakap and other areas where Malay voters make up more than 60% to 70% of the electorate,” Azmi was quoted as saying to the news portal.

According to Azmi, Amar’s blurred photos further fuelled rumours that the Islamist party might be engaged in talks with the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led unity government to join the federal government - a rumour that had been dismissed by several leaders including DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook and PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

On June 23, Loke said PAS has not been invited to join the unity government, adding that there had been no discussions about the matter.

Tuan Ibrahim, meanwhile, was more vehement in his denial, saying, “Poodah! We were never in talks to join the government, and we never will.”

However, the news portal also reported Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist and senior lecturer Dr Azmil Tayed as warning against reading too much into the matter.

“I wouldn’t put much stock in it. The likelihood of PAS joining the Madani government is slim to none as long as DAP is in (it),” he was quoted as saying.

Mohd Amar, who is also the Kelantan state assembly Speaker, had on June 24 posted several photos of the ceramah at Sungai Bakap ahead of the by-election on July 6.

The photos which had PN banners in the background, were pixelated. - July 3, 2024 

https://focusmalaysia.my/pas-leaders-blurred-out-photos-a-hint-of-frayed-relations-between-pas-bersatu/