DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has proclaimed the death of Pakatan Rakyat after PAS at its 61st muktamar yesterday approved a motion to sever ties with DAP.
"A fortnight ago, I gave my most pessimistic forecast that in two weeks' time, there may not be a Pakatan Rakyat left.
"It would appear that my worst-scene forecast for Pakatan Rakyat has come to pass and all that is left are the funeral rites," he said in a statement today.
Even though PAS passed the motion to sever ties with DAP without debate, the Islamic party is strangely insisting that it is still with Pakatan.
Newly-elected PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad has insisted that the party's central committee has a final say on whether to execute the sever-ties-with-DAP motion.
The entire line-up of pro-Pakatan leaders in PAS were also wiped out at the party election on Friday with the Islamist party now dominated by hardline conservatives (ulama).
"With this PAS muktamar motion, Malaysian politics has entered into uncharted waters with immediate consequences," said Lim.
Lim ( photo ) said this meant that PAS representatives must resign from the DAP-led Pakatan government in Penang and it also raised the possibility of a state election in Selangor.
The Selangor state assembly comprises 13 PKR representatives with 15 each from PAS and DAP respectively in the 56-member House.
Victory for Umno
Umno has 12 representatives and the remaining seat is held by former Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who was sacked from PKR and is now an independent.
Abdul Khalid, who was spotted at the muktamar today, is said to be close with PAS.
Without PAS support, a hung state assembly looms but at least two PAS state assemblypersons have declared they will stand with Pakatan even if sacked by their party.
"What has happened is undoubtedly a victory for the Umno strategists and plotters in their conspiracy to divide and destroy Pakatan with the twin lure of a unity government between Umno and PAS and the implementation of hudud in Kelantan," said Lim.
Nonetheless, Lim said those advocating for a change in federal government must soldier on.
"Whether there is Pakatan Rakyat or not, the Malaysian Dream must go on.
"Those who support the Malaysian Dream of an inclusive vision of Malaysia belonging to all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or region, who can come together in a common national endeavour to build an united, harmonious, free, just, democratic and strong Malaysia that can take its rightful place in the international arena, must continue to slog on," he said.
