KANGAR: Pas has indicated its intention to field candidates to represent Perikatan Nasional (PN) in Kelantan if the Gua Musang and Jeli parliamentary seats, along with the Nenggiri state seat, are confirmed vacant for by-elections.
This announcement comes amid PN's crisis involving six Members of Parliament and one state assemblyman from Bersatu who declared their support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government.
Pas vice president Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah said that this plan is subject to negotiations and discussions with key PN partners, particularly Bersatu.
"Certainly, Pas is always ready if given the opportunity, and we will discuss it as there are various views within the coalition regarding by-elections in these areas.
"There is a question of whether Bersatu will retain their candidates in all these seats or whether other parties, as in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, might contest.
"In the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, the seat belonged to Gerakan, but Bersatu contested," he said during a press conference today.
He said that any plans for by-elections in the six parliamentary seats and one state seat might change, depending on the discussions held.
"Changes may occur, but it will depend on the discussions.
"We, at the party leadership level, are prepared, especially in Kelantan, if the Bersatu candidates can make way.
"If Bersatu insists on contesting, we hope they choose candidates who truly represent them and are not disloyal to the party," he said.
On April 7, Pas had expressed readiness to field their candidates in by-elections following the approval by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to amend Bersatu's constitution.
Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the by-elections might be held in the six constituencies where Bersatu members of parliament had expressed support for the government.
On May 17, six MPs and one state assemblyman from Bersatu who declared their support for Anwar were given 14 days to respond to a written directive issued by the party.
They include Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang); Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), and Selat Kelang state assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari.
Failure to respond to the written directive will result in the immediate termination of their Bersatu membership, according to Article 10.4 of the party's constitution.
