Pas Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden has hinted that the party’s relationship with Bersatu may be approaching a breaking point, suggesting that its former ally has chosen to part ways with Pas.
Although he did not directly name Bersatu, Afnan’s Facebook post — which reflected on sacrifice and comradeship within Pas — was widely interpreted as referring to the party’s Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition partner.
“Today, that friend has chosen to walk alone, believing themselves to be strong and powerful. A loyal friend has been left behind just like that,” he wrote.
“It’s all right, friend. If you want to go, then go. From now on, do everything on your own — from setting up operations rooms and conducting door-to-door campaigns, to putting up posters, hanging flags, organising ceramah venues, security control, odd jobs, serving as polling and counting agents, and organising feasts,” he said.
“Do it all yourself. Follow what we taught you, if you still remember.”
Afnan’s remarks came amid growing tensions following recent political developments in Perlis, which culminated in the resignation of Sanglang assemblyman Mohd Shukri Ramli as menteri besar.
Several assemblymen from Bersatu and Pas were reported to have submitted statutory declarations (SDs) expressing a loss of confidence in Shukri’s leadership. This ultimately led to Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah of Bersatu being sworn in today as the ninth Menteri Besar of Perlis.
Detailing Pas’ sacrifices for Bersatu, Afnan said the party had given up electoral seats for its ally, mobilised its grassroots machinery to support Bersatu candidates and endured political attacks together in the spirit of shared struggle.
“When we became friends, Pas showed loyalty. We obeyed leadership instructions and were willing to set aside our own feelings to preserve consensus and friendship,” he said.
He noted that after the 15th General Election (GE15), Pas held the highest number of parliamentary seats but still nominated a prime ministerial candidate from among its allies.
“At that time, all Pas MPs signed SDs supporting that friend. Even though we wanted the prime minister to come from Pas because we had more seats, that desire was suppressed in favour of consensus and friendship,” he said.
Afnan added that Pas also supported the appointment of an opposition leader from its ally’s party despite having a larger number of MPs.
He further cited a by-election in which Pas sacrificed a senior Youth leader to contest on behalf of its ally.
“Not only did he contest, he was even willing to leave Pas and join our friend’s party to preserve comradeship. When the by-election was lost, he remained with that party as a form of sacrifice,” he said.
He also said Pas had stepped in to assist allied elected representatives who lacked staff at their service centres and remained silent during its ally’s internal party crisis to avoid damaging the relationship.
“Even when responding, Pas chose its words carefully to preserve the friendship,” he added.
Despite the situation, Afnan stressed that Pas would continue moving forward.
“Thank you for once being part of our lives. Thank you for showing the world who a true friend is,” he said.
“Go. There is no need to return.”
