Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has upped the ante against PAS in the Manek Urai by-election campaign by accusing Kelantan senior exco member Husam Musa, of being power hungry and has renewed his invitation to the Islamist party to join Barisan Nasional.

NONE At a ceramah in Kampung Sungai Peria, on the way to the Gua Musang main road last night, Khairy (right ) said whatever the differences that PAS and Umno had in the past, it can be worked out and hopes that something can be done after this by-election.

He also alleged that there are several PAS youth leaders within the Manek Urai constituency who are not satisfied with Husam's role in derailing the proposed unity talks between the two parties, and that they have pledged their support for BN as protest votes in this by-election.

"I do not want to attack PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. However, I strongly feel that the veteran leader's stern opposition to the unity talks is as a result of Husam's influence on him.

manek urai by-election nomination 060709 nik aziz and mohd fauzi abdullah "If PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang who came up with the amanat Hadi during the 1980's and its deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa has supported the move (unity talks), then why do away with it. I believe a majority of PAS members want the unity talks as they do not like being with DAP and PKR," he said before a crowd of 500 people.

What's wrong with unity talks?

The amanat Hadi , was a decree by Hadi during the 1980's where he declared Umno as kafirs (infidels) for its support of secularism.

Also present was MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong, who is also the Deputy Education Minister, MIC Youth chief T Mohan and Kelantan Umno Youth chief, Anuar Safian.

NONE By bringing up amanat Hadi , Khairy is seen as imposing a psychological edge as the campaign period enters into its second phase after four days of campaigning.

There are four days left for campaigning as polling will be held on July 14.

Khairy asked the crowd if there was aything wrong with Malay unity, as Umno and PAS members are all Malays and Muslims.

"It would be for the best for the community to be united as this is also demanded by Islam," he said.

However, he said Husam has managed to exert his influence on the influential cleric Nik Aziz, to oppose the move (unity talks) despite his recent loss during the recent PAS muktamar .

"Even we in Umno Youth have invited PAS youth to an intellectual discourse meet. We cannot not see why the PAS senior leaders do not want to hold talks with Umno leaders," he said.

Whatever the differences, Khairy said these could be resolved through negotiations and he hopes that one day after the by-election, PAS could set aside their differences and join BN.

Nik Aziz urges Khairy to join them

In another development, Nik Aziz responded to Khairy's invitation by asking the latter to join PAS instead.

NONE He also retorted to a statement by Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin that Umno has been championing Islamic issues even before PAS did.

He said that PAS was the only Islamic party in the country and questioned why the word ‘Islam' could not be found in Umno.

Nik Aziz also expressed confidence in his party retaining the seat on April 14, adding that the residents there had benefited from his government's land policies.

"Hence, they feel indebted. I hope this would translate to votes," he said.

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