KUALA LUMPUR: A Bersatu leader has dismissed speculation over whether the party and Pas are at odds following Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar's resignation as Perikatan Nasional treasurer-general.
Bersatu information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said that unless Samsuri, who is also a Pas vice-president, provides an explanation for his decision, any perception of discord between Pas and Bersatu remains speculative.
"If you ask me, there is no rift between Pas and Bersatu.
"During the PN meeting (held before Samsuri announced his resignation), the relationship between the Bersatu president (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) and the Pas president (Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang) was good... there were no issues.
"I'm not sure if the matter (Samsuri's resignation) was conveyed to (Muhyiddin), but my understanding is that it should have been addressed during the meeting.
"So, in my view, between the presidents, the matter has been resolved. What's important is that the relationship between both presidents remains strong, and there are no emerging issues," he told Berita Harian today.
Tun Faisal was responding to speculation linking Samsuri's resignation to alleged "internal conflicts" within PN between Pas and Bersatu.
On Wednesday, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had confirmed that Samsuri had tendered his resignation as PN treasurer-general but refrained from elaborating.
To date, Samsuri, who is also Terengganu menteri besar, has remained silent on the matter.
Tun Faisal asserted that Samsuri's resignation does not weaken Pas' position as a PN component party since the role would likely be reassigned to another Pas leader.
He viewed the resignation as a "Pas internal matter" that needs to be resolved within the party's top leadership.
"When he (Samsuri) steps down, the position will be filled by another Pas member. So, the most important thing, in my view, is for Samsuri to provide an explanation.
"So far, we have not heard any clarification. Therefore, I believe the issue is not significant, and everything is in order.
"To me, they (Pas) know best how to handle this," he added.
He said Bersatu's current focus was to strengthen the party ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16), starting from the grassroots level, while fostering collaboration with other component parties, including Pas.