“So they can say it is not that they left, but were expelled.
“It is a very irresponsible kind of politics,” Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said.
He said PAS appeared confused following its decision to stay put in the Selangor administration despite officially cutting ties with PKR a week ago.
The Shah Alam MP said PAS seemed unable to fully grasp how the democratic system works, adding that guidelines must be followed and respected.
“PAS, you can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” he said.
“You can’t cut ties and at the same time want to stay in the government. It is a very ridiculous situation.
“But they seem to be having a stand which is completely detached from reality and the rationale of the system,” Khalid told FMT.
Khalid’s comments came after Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who is PAS’ acting president, said earlier today that the party would remain as part of the Selangor administration.
He added that PAS’ three executive councillors were appointed by the sultan.
PAS has three excos under the state cabinet — Iskandar Samad, Ahmad Yunus Hairi, and Zaidy Abdul Talib. The state deputy speaker, Shafie Ngah, is also from PAS.
Khalid criticised PAS’ claim that the sultan was the one who appointed the excos and the one who can terminate their presence in the Selangor executive council.
“Once the menteri besar is appointed, he chooses his exco members, based on their ability to work with him and the others.
“This selection of excos is then referred to the sultan. The sultan will normally endorse, unless there are strong or personal objections.”
Universiti Malaya political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi echoed this, using the analogy of a marriage.
Once a marriage has been dissolved, the couple obviously can no longer live under one roof, he said.
Awang Azman added that PAS’ situation in Selangor was strange as it had formally ended ties with its one-time ally, PKR.
He said PAS was reluctant to leave the Selangor government, under Pakatan Harapan, even though PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had decided that all PKR political appointees, including penghulu, state assembly supervisors and members of local councils, should resign from their positions under the Kelantan government.
“This step by PAS is seen as a sign of mockery towards Wan Azizah, with PAS still wishing to hang on to PKR’s power,” he told FMT.
He also claimed that Azmin needs PAS to maintain his power as menteri besar.
“PKR’s support would become shaky in the state and the parliamentary areas at the next general election if the situation turns bad with PAS in Selangor.
“So, Azmin has to take cautious steps and has to be careful in handling this situation.”