PMTG PAUH The absence of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's posters in Permatang Pauh is excusable, but don't let Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan explain about the goods and services tax (GST) – only Najib will do.

PKR election director Saifuddin Nasution said this in response to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who downplayed the absence of Najib's posters for the Permatang Pauh by-election.

"It's okay if his posters are not seen in Permatang Pauh. Just don't send Ahmad to talk about the GST.

"We want Najib himself to come down here to explain about the GST," he added.

Saifuddin had earlier said that PKR was focusing on explaining the effects of GST on the rakyat in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Najib 'boycotted'

Meanwhile, his party colleague, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin ( centre, pix below ) who had first noted the absence of Najib's posters in Permatang Pauh, said the party had sent a team to Rompin yesterday to verify whether Najib was  also being  “boycotted" there.

"But there were many posters and billboards of Najib there and of Najib with Umno's Rompin by-election candidate as well.

"This means that Permatang Pauh Umno is boycotting Najib. We pity Najib that although he is prime minister, he is not appreciated.

"It's embarrassing for Permatang Pauh Umno and Penang Umno to boycott him. So we ask that they answer this," he said.

Saifuddin then quipped, saying this meant that Permatang Pauh Umno was in support of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad who had been increasing his attacks on Najib's leadership.

Mahathir has, in the past few weeks, criticised Najib's brainchild the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) as well as questioned who had instructed the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, among others.