KLANG: Three Selangor PAS elected representatives have confirmed that they are part of the splinter group Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB).

Morib assemblyman Hasnul Baharuddin said he was joining GHB because PAS had moved backwards and strayed from the party’s initial fundamentals.

“The party’s principles have changed and the damage in the party is beyond repair,” he said in an interview here yesterday.

Although GHB would be relatively new with many challenges ahead, Hasnul said it would be a party that welcomed like-minded people from all levels and backgrounds.

He also said that according to PAS’ constitution, he was no longer a PAS member, which dictated automatic loss of membership even if one were to just voice the intention of joining another party.

Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib said he supported GHB becoming a registered party.

PAS’ decision to sever ties with DAP, he said, indicated that it had strayed from its core objective of capturing Putrajaya.

“PAS should have appreciated and valued its relationship with the other Pakatan partners. However, things have changed and the party leadership cannot accept criticism.

“The damage has been done and it is beyond repair,” said Saari.

Both Hasnul and Saari were suspended for a year by PAS last October for breaking ranks and supporting PKR president Datuk Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as Mentri Besar candidate when the party had thrown its support behind Azmin Ali.

When contacted via WhatsApp, Kota Raja MP Siti Mariah Mahmud said: “(Let’s) wait for a while. (There are) a few things to settle before announcement. Will let you know. Thank you.”

Asked if she had officially joined GHB, she replied: “I am part of GHB.”

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