Pas-Bersatu split: Gerakan awaits official explanation - Dominic

SHAH ALAM - Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia will wait for an official explanation from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Pas regarding the political rift between the two parties before commenting further on the matter.

Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau said for now, all parties within Perikatan Nasional (PN) remain focused on their greater responsibilities, with the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections drawing near.

He added that this was especially so given the country's ever-evolving political landscape ahead of the next general election.

"We respect the roles and contributions of both Pas and Bersatu within PN.

"Gerakan will continue to play a constructive role in strengthening PN as a coalition that is acceptable to Malaysians of all races and religions, while upholding political stability, principled leadership, and placing the people's interests above all else," he told Sinar on Tuesday.

Earlier, Pas stunned the country's political landscape when it made a surprise decision to immediately halt political cooperation with its PN ally, Bersatu.

The drastic decision was reached at a special meeting of Pas's Central Working Committee held to discuss the party's direction in navigating a new political phase.

Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the decision to sever ties was made after the party reviewed the position and direction of Pas-Bersatu political cooperation based on comprehensive reports, studies and current assessments.