The Kelantanese Fishmongers and Wholesalers Association today threw their net of support for their fellow tradesmen Mohd Fauzi Abdullah from PAS.

Some 200 of them organised a gathering at the Kampung Laloh wet market where they declared their solidarity for Mohd Fauzi, a well-known local fish wholesaler.

NONE And it was not just the support in the form of votes that they threw in for Mohd Fauzi, they also promised to deliver 40 containers of fish for PAS workers in all nine electoral districts tomorrow.

The camaraderie shown by the association to Mohd Fauzi was not only prompted by his trade but also by a remark made by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin which belittled their profession.

The anger of the association members over Muhyiddin's statement was apparent at the gathering.

On Wednesday, Muhyiddin had allegedly said that Mohd Fauzi was just a fishmonger, giving the connotation that the PAS candidate was lower in standing compared to Umno's Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat who is an engineer by profession.

Present at the gathering today was the association's chairperson Tarmizi Salleh and the association's head for Kedah Zulkifli Bidin.

Also present was Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, state senior exco member Husam Musa, Kuala Kerai MP Dr Hatta Ramli and Mohd Fauzi.

They stoop too low

Nik Aziz took the opportunity at the gathering to hit out at Muhyiddin for his disparaging remarks against the PAS candidate and the fish wholesalers.

NONE "Don't any of you (Umno ministers) eat fish or do you catch it yourself," he asked.

The PAS spiritual leader also lambasted Umno leaders for resorting to such personal attacks.

"If Prophet Mohammad was here, they may even resort to degenerate him as he was a shepherd.

"Isn't it better to be a fishmonger and earn a halal income rather than having someone who earns a living through corrupt practise?" asked Nik Aziz.

He also praised Mohd Fauzi for being a successful entrepreneur who earned a decent living by clean means.

"The PAS candidate is a successful entrepreneur and he has deep religious fundamentals and morals and that is the reason why we picked him," he said.

Muhyiddin denies belittling

Meanwhile Tarmizi said the association was proud that the PAS government has decided to put Mohd Fauzi as the candidate as "it has helped uplift our profession".

"There is nothing wrong by becoming a fishmonger or wholesaler. Furthermore I have known Abe Uji (Mohd Fauzi) and he is truly an honest and decent person. He will make a good candidate and elected representative," he said.

NONE Mohd Fauzi ( left ) was overwhelmed by emotions when he was asked to address the crowd. He thanked the association's support and pledged to provide good service to the people if elected.

Muhyiddin has denied belittling the fishmongers and wholesalers profession and insisted that he respected those involved in these trades.

"When did I belittle them? As an agricultural minister previously, I have taken care of them," he said yesterday.

"(At the ceramah), I only said our candidate is not a fishmonger. That's all. We did not belittle their candidate, we respect him," he added.