Tensions have been building between the two parties, with PAS’ Dewan Ulama and Youth wings both passing motions for the party to sever ties with PKR.
Earlier, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said PAS should do the “honourable” thing and leave the Selangor administration if it decided to end political cooperation with PKR. There are three Selangor excos from PAS.
In his first press conference as PAS Youth chief, Khalil however said there was no need for any of the party’s three excos to resign, and that they must continue their work.
PAS has been a member of the Selangor state administration since the 2008 General Election (GE) along with PKR and DAP after capturing the state from Barisan Nasional.
The three opposition parties formed the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which retained power in the state in the 2013 GE.
“The PAS excos in Selangor aren’t appointed by PKR or DAP, that’s why they must continue working for the people,” said Khalil, who is the eldest son of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Khalil, who took over from former youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, also noted that the new PAS Youth exco line up reflected a balance between those from the ulama, professional and activist “camps”.
He added that three exco members were from Kelantan, a PAS stronghold for years.
He said this showed PAS’ focus in wanting to defend Kelantan in the next GE.
On the issue of severing ties with PKR, Khalil said he would leave the decision to the Syura Council, PAS’ highest decision-making body, but noted that the sentiments from the youth were clear.
When asked about PAS’ political cooperation with other parties, Khalil said it was something that would be reviewed from time to time.
“What is important is the strengthening of Islam.”
When asked about the possibility of cooperating with PKR for GE14, Khalil said that for now, PAS would forge ahead with the Gagasan Sejahtera coalition, which comprised the Islamist party, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa).
He added that other parties were welcome to join Gagasan Sejahtera.
Yesterday, PAS’ spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said the party had not closed the door on possible cooperation with DAP and Amanah, as long as both parties were willing to accept that Islam must “lead the way”.