PAS said the nation was disappointed that Prime Minister Najib Razak had failed to take the opportunity during last week’s Umno general assembly to respond to allegations made against him that week.

“Indeed, the rakyat were waiting form the PM's response in his winding up speech, but what a pity (the allegations) were not even touched upon by him during the AGM,” said PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man in a statement today.

NONE He was referring to businessman Deepak Jaikishan (left) , whom Tuan Ibrahim noted was Najib’s “old friend” who last week alleged that he had given land to Najib’s family in return for a share in a defence deal.

“If such an opportunity was taken to make a clarification, surely it would have been heard by many of the people as his address was given such wide media coverage.

“Leaving such a huge allegation without an explanation only heightens the general belief and perception that all of Deepak’s allegations are true,” he added.

NONE At last week’s Umno AGM Defence Minister and Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (right) offered to respond to Deepak’s claims during the former’s winding up speech, but kept mum when push came to shove.

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang pointed out that it should be Najib who should be responding instead, since the latter is the head of Umno and was present at the AGM.

The Umno chief, however, failed to mention the allegations during the annual meet.

‘Infighting in broad daylight’

Tuan Ibrahim said Najib has also failed to keep his promise made two years ago during the Sarawak elections that Chief Minister Taib Mahmud would step down.

“More importantly, the PM also didn’t take the chance to wage war against the culture of corruption that has afflicted his administration,” he said, citing the RM40 million ‘political donation’ to Sabah Umno.

NONE “This is not surprising, as this attitude is clear from the Wanita general assembly. Even while it faces ridicule, Umno Wanita still celebrates its chief Shahrizat ( right ) who is embroiled in the National Feedlot Corporation issue, because there is no other leader in that wing,” he said.

He said Najib was only concerned with internal sabotage from those who are expected to take issue with not being fielded as candidates in the upcoming general election.

“The PM’s concern shows that the issue of Umno infighting is no longer behind the scenes, but is taking place out in broad daylight.”

Similarly, he said Hishammuddin Hussein should have jumped at the opportunity to clear his name over former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan’s allegations last week of interference in the police force.

“The allegations that came with a call for Hishammuddin to resign were also left without any clarification being offered in the general assembly,” he said.

‘Using Pakatan to divert attention’

Instead of addressing key issues facing Umno, the party spent its time diverting attention towards Pakatan Rakyat, he said.

The statements of the Pahang menteri besar of “cutting off his ears” and Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil dredging up the May 13, 1969 riots were signs that Umno was in panic, said Tuan Ibrahim.

Therefore, he called on PAS to step up its machinery to counter Umno’s attacks.

“The best medium is to meet the voters directly and cordially, to explain all the misinformation that is being raised in the mainstream media.

“We need to penetrate every household with clear information to build their confidence (in PAS).

Taking a leaf from Umno’s infighting, Tuan Ibrahim further warned PAS members to stop engaging in internal polemics.

“Beware of the enemy’s trap and avoid becoming a mouthpiece for the enemy,” he said.