PETALING JAYA: Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has launched a scathing attack on PAS leaders whom he branded the "Publika cluster," accusing them of failing to uphold Islamic teachings while stabbing their political allies in the back.
In a blistering Facebook post on Wednesday, Tun Faisal listed a series of grievances Bersatu holds against PAS, claiming the Islamist party had invited sanctioned Bersatu leaders to its events and displayed their images on banners and posters without consulting Bersatu's leadership.
He was referring to figures aligned with former Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who was sacked from the party in February following a protracted leadership tussle with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"PAS had never sought Bersatu's views before inviting these leaders. This is insensitive because Bersatu had taken disciplinary action against those individuals for breaching the party's rules," Tun Faisal said.
The Bersatu information chief further alleged that PAS had never discussed reviving its Muafakat Nasional alliance with Umno with Bersatu, even during Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council meetings. He also pointed to what he described as PAS dragging its feet on amending the PN constitution and naming a new opposition leader to replace Hamzah following his expulsion.
"These are just a few examples. I am too lazy to bring up other old stories, including PAS's unfulfilled promises," Tun Faisal wrote. "But I have never seen Muslim leaders who talk about unity daily but stab others from the back like the 'Publika cluster' in PAS."
He added pointedly: "I think it is not hard to work with Bersatu. I think it is harder to work with people who talk as if they follow Islamic teachings, but whose actions do not match their words."
Tun Faisal urged PAS leaders to "go back to adhering to the true morals and teachings of Islam" if they genuinely want to maintain brotherhood and unity among Muslims.
The broadside came in response to PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who earlier said the party's decision to end its cooperation with Bersatu did not mean it had severed all ties with the Muhyiddin-led party. Tuan Ibrahim said the friendship between PAS and Bersatu should not be severed, appealing for both parties to remain united for the sake of the ummah, or Muslim community.
The escalating war of words between the two former Perikatan Nasional allies comes as both Johor and Negeri Sembilan prepare for state elections, with the opposition bloc now deeply fractured heading into the polls.
Sources: Free Malaysia Today
