The party’s secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan, said this blending of Saifuddin’s dual roles suggested a misuse of power, raising concerns about the precedent it set.

“The question arises: Since when can these two roles be combined in an official government statement using ministry letterhead?” he said in a statement.

“Under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, has the distinction between government duties and political roles been ignored?”

Takiyuddin was responding to Saifuddin’s lengthy statement accusing PAS, under Abdul Hadi Awang’s leadership, of deviating from its original cause.

Saifuddin, who is the former PKR secretary-general, described PAS’s rhetoric during its recently concluded muktamar as “the pinnacle of hate politics,” where slander and insults were directed at political opponents.

Takiyuddin also slammed Saifuddin for simply referring to Hadi without using his honorific titles, saying that it was not only disrespectful to his party president but also to the authority who conferred the titles.

“Doing so in an official capacity as a Cabinet minister is particularly embarrassing.

“The key question is whether such rude and disgraceful behaviour will become a hallmark of the current government’s leadership,” the Kota Bharu MP said, adding that firm action must be taken to prevent such behaviour from being normalised.

Takiyuddin also said Saifuddin’s statement contained serious but unproven accusations against PAS and its president.

“As home minister, it is Saifuddin’s responsibility to bring charges against PAS and its president in court if the allegations are true and the government has evidence,” he said.

“Failure to do so represents a clear neglect of duty, and the unproven accusations made by the minister could be considered slander, exposing the ministry to legal action.”

As such, he called on Anwar to consider replacing Saifuddin with a more qualified individual, as “the home minister has not demonstrated the necessary qualifications to remain in government”.