Rohaizat Othman's disbarment for monetary misconduct is no personal matter and it does reflect on his conduct as he is running for public office, stressed PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar.

ahmad zahid hamidi Lashing back, Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi appealed to the public and Opposition yesterday to not to drag the problems involving Rohaizat and his former law firm partner, Yusri Isahak, into the election arena.

"We exposed the fact about Rohaizat after checking with the Bar Council and we only exposed matters with the evidence we have at hand," said Mahfuz, who is heading the PAS by-election campaign.

"But it was Umno leaders who made his business partner (Yusri) the scapegoat... they laid the blame on him," he said.

Rohaizat has been under mounting pressure to gracefully withdraw from the Permatang Pasir by-election after news of his disbarment surfaced after the nominations.

He was found guilty by the Bar Council's disciplinary committee of misconduct after failing to return RM161,000 belonging to his client, the Koperasi Pekebun Getah Negeri Pulau Pinang Berhad.

Attempting to iron out the damage, Umno leaders said that it was Yusri's mistake that led to Rohaizat's disbarment.

However, Yusri yesterday denied the allegations and revealed that Rohaizat had used the money from the cooperative to help a friend in a land purchase deal.

"Yusri was here to defend his dignity and his family's name after being accused by Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan for solely being responsible for misusing the cooperative's money."

"That was Umno's own doing and Yusri has come out to say that Rohaizat was equally responsible," Mahfuz told reporters at the PAS by-election centre in Permatang Pasir.

Yusri was also seen attending PAS ceramahs to give his side of the story.

"PAS has been attacking his credibility as a candidate and his credibility is reflected on his conduct," said Mahfuz, adding that they were attacking him on personal matters.

"Perhaps Zahid and (Deputy Prime Minister) Muhyiddin Yassin should check with former Umno disciplinary committee member Khalid Ahmad, who was (at that time) the chairman of the Bar Council disciplinary board and the person who had chaired the meeting to disbar Rohaizat," said Mahfuz.

Furthermore, Mahfuz said that they will be exposing more misdemeanours involving the BN candidate in the coming days.

Embezzlement claim "a joke"

Meanwhile, on the latest revelation involving PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man of embezzling RM600,000 from PAS during the Permatang Pauh by-election last year, Mahfuz said it was "a joke".

article 11 jb protest 220706 dr mahfuz mohamad "Do you think PAS have such hefty funds? This is truly a joke. If we had that kind of money, I wouldn't be wondering on how we can finance this by-election," said Mahfuz (right) .

"Their claims on our candidate (Mohd Salleh Man) is baseless... it is just to show that he is just like their candidate, who has no morals and ethics," blasted Mahfuz.

He added that PAS will not hesitate to lodge a police report if there is no evidence to the rumour of the embezzlement.

"We are confident that Salleh is the best candidate who is honest, trustworthy and with a vision," he added.

Asked about a SMS which has been making rounds, claiming that Salleh owed a bank RM320,000 and on the verge of being declared a bankrupt, Mahfuz demanded "show us the prove. Do not make unjustifiable allegations."