ISKANDAR PUTERI: PKR has rubbished claims made by Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang that the Islamist party was offered to be part of the unity government.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said he was not aware of such an offer.

"I have never heard of such an offer (for Pas to join the unity government).

"There were three individuals who were very much involved in negotiations during the formation of the unity government: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, myself and PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

"I'm not aware of such a claim from Hadi, or from which era did such a claim come from.

"What I can say is that throughout my involvement since the formation of the unity government until now, I am unaware of such a thing. Unless there was someone else who made the offer (to Hadi)," he said.

Rafizi, who is the Economy Minister was speaking at a press conference after the Half-Term Review Engagement Session of the 12th Malaysia Plan (2021-2025) with the Johor government.

Yesterday, Hadi claimed that he was contacted by several individuals who wanted to meet him with an offer for Pas to join the unity government.

(www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/05/913991/there-are-individuals-inviti...)

He claimed the offer came about after Pakatan Harapan (PH), especially PKR, realised that their position is unstable since the number of their Malay seats are not as many as Pas.

Hadi's comments also received a rebuke from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today when he told Hadi not to be so "full of himself" and urged the Pas president to remain within the opposition fold. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/05/914246/zahid-hadi-do-not-fl...)

Meanwhile, when commenting on claims that PKR's position is not strong, Rafizi, who is also Pandan member of parliament, said that was just Hadi's opinion.

"That's his opinion, but we have to remember that the prime minister is from PKR and we are part of the unity government."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/05/914309/rafizi-which-era-does-claim-come