SHAH ALAM – Pas is confident that any potential beef between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not hamper the progress of its newly-formed economic block, the State Government 4 (SG4).
SG4 spokesperson Datuk Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar – who is also the Terengganu Menteri Besar – believed that the relationship between the four Pas-controlled states and the Federal Government would not be strained by Mahathir’s role as the bloc’s advisor.
This collaborative project encompassed four states under Pas administration, namely Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis.
"This is above politics. I was also asked previously why this matter would involve Tun Dr Mahathir, and I said that this is an added value that we would like to achieve.
"In fact, I am open to receiving any advice or opinions from anyone even if it's from DAP Supremo Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang.
"This is an issue that transcends politics because if we only talk about politics all the time, we won't achieve anything,” he told reporters during the 69th Pas Muktamar press conference at the Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC) in Shah Alam.
Samsuri further said that Pas had created cooperation among the four states and it was still early to measure the achievements.
"Even though there are some challenges here and there, we are still in the exploratory phase.
"One thing we cannot deny is that we are still under federal authority, and there are matters under federal jurisdiction."
In fact, he claimed that Pas would never revise the agreements made with the federal government.
"Our commitment remains firm in improving our self-sufficiency while sustaining our ongoing collaboration with the federal government.
"Although we have the option to halt, we find our motivation and purpose in persisting with our endeavours,” he elaborated.