PAS has laughed off an Umno minister’s claim that those who participated in the Bersih 2.0 rally last month had been paid RM50 each.

NONE Its vice-president Mahfuz Omar (left) also described Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim’s statement as “shallow”.

Rais wants to equate everyone with Umno, Mahfuz told a press conference at party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

“For Umno, to get a large turnout to their leaders' rally, you need to provide transport, money, and food. They equate that (paying for attendance) with us (because) they cannot think outside the 'Umno box'.

“He (Rais) thinks inside the 'Umno box' ... He said there were many participants in Bersih because of money - because, in Umno, when there are a lot of people, it is because of money.

"I wonder if Rais wants to say that even the rioters in London are being paid," he quipped.

‘The real culprits’

Selangor PAS Youth similarly dismissed the claim, pointing out that it was Umno Youth that had resorted to such tactics when countering the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9.

NONE "(During its) Patriot rally, Umno Youth (gave) non-citizens a red T-shirt and food to demonstrate against Bersih," said Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan, who heads Selangor PAS Youth.

He also questioned Rais' motive in bringing up the issue more than a month after the rally, and accused him of trying to dupe Felda settlers who had no access to information.

Yesterday, Rais had reportedly said at a Felda settlement that information compiled by the ministry's Special Affairs Department indicated that people had been paid RM50 each and were given free meals to join the Bersih 2.0 rally in Kuala Lumpur.

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