The Islamist party’s highest decision-making body, the syura council, has now passed the buck on the party’s role in the PKR-led Selangor government back to the PAS central working committee.

The syura council, which met this afternoon, upheld the decision taken at the recent PAS muktamar to end political cooperation with PKR but declined to decide if PAS exco members should quit the PKR-led Selangor government.

The announcement was made by syura council secretary Muhammad Zawawi Salleh.

PAS’ decision to sever ties with PKR had led to speculations about the status of the Selangor government, in which PAS has three exco members.

PAS also has 12 seats in the 56-seat state assembly.

Without PAS, the PKR-led Pakatan Harapan government in Selangor will only control 29 seats in the state assembly, the bare minimum for a majority in the 56-member House.

Despite the severing of ties, Nik Muhammad said the door was still open for discussions with PKR.

“Yes, we can still meet (for negotiations),” he said.

In an immediate response to the syura council decision, Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi insisted that PAS exco members will remain in the government.

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali had previously also refused to sack PAS exco members despite the party severing ties with PKR.

Azmin had said that PAS’ position within the Selangor government was by virtue of the 13th general election when PKR, PAS and DAP contested under the now defunct coalition Pakatan Harapan.

DAP’s senior exco within the Selangor government Teng Chang Khim also echoed Azmin’s stance.