KUALA LUMPUR, 16 June 2009: PAS has informed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “in no uncertain terms” that it is committed to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Opposition Leader Anwar said it was PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang himself who had given that assurance.
“I have been informed in no uncertain terms by (the) PAS president that he is committed to the Pakatan Rakyat,” Anwar told a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.
“He will only talk to Umno on the condition that Umno is committed to some reform, including for fair and free elections and an independent judiciary,” Anwar, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser, said.
Anwar (File pic)
PKR, together with PAS and the DAP make up the PR.
According to Anwar, the Barisan Nasional (BN) has not made any commitments towards such reforms.
Anwar said that Hadi gave him this assurance yesterday.
Asked about PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who said he welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak‘s willingness to talk about a unity government, Anwar dismissed it as a formality.
“He wants to convey this message to the PAS president. He is doing it according to standard procedure,” Anwar said.
Anwar also claimed that Najib’s overtures to PAS were due to Umno’s crumbling support.
“Clearly Najib would require some support, because his support base is crumbling,” Anwar claimed.
On another matter, Anwar also criticised Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia for rejecting his appeal for Pandikar to lift the suspension of seven parliamentarians, including Bukit Gantang Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Anwar also criticised Pandikar’s decision to reject a motion that Parliament condemn the Myanmarese military junta for its continuing persecution of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 
