PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar have issued apologies to Gerakan president Dominic Lau for critical remarks made by two delegates during the party’s recent muktamar, clarifying that the comments did not reflect the PAS leadership’s stance.
Speaking at a press conference following the Selangor Gerakan annual general meeting, Lau revealed that Takiyuddin and Samsuri personally expressed regret for the remarks, attributing them to individual delegates rather than party policy. “They said the remarks came from some loose cannons in the party and asked me not to take it personally. I’ve accepted their apologies,” Lau stated.
The controversy stemmed from a PAS ulama delegate who questioned Lau’s suitability as chairman of Penang Perikatan Nasional (PN). Lau countered the critique, emphasizing Gerakan’s active role in holding the DAP-led Penang state government accountable, despite lacking representation in the state assembly.
A second PAS delegate escalated the criticism, accusing Lau of inadequate leadership and failing to effectively mobilize PN’s 11 assemblymen in Penang. Lau dismissed these claims, underscoring Gerakan’s contributions to the coalition.
This is not the first instance of PAS extending apologies to Lau. During the August 2023 Penang state election campaign, Lau was excluded from a PN ceramah organized by PAS, reportedly due to objections from some party members over his candidacy for the Bayan Lepas seat. Takiyuddin apologized at the time, noting that Lau should have been welcomed as a guest in line with Islamic principles.
Addressing Separate Criticisms
In a related development, Lau addressed remarks by PAS election director and Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor, who criticized unnamed PN allies for allegedly depending on PAS’s election funds and machinery. Lau expressed skepticism that Sanusi’s comments targeted Gerakan, while his deputy, Oh Tong Keong, noted that Sanusi later described the statement as a “joke to spice things up” at the muktamar.
Regarding PAS’s resolution to lead PN and propose a prime minister candidate, Lau indicated that these issues would be deliberated at the coalition’s forthcoming Supreme Council meeting, signaling ongoing discussions to navigate internal dynamics within PN.
