Three PAS state assemblypersons in Kelantan were offered RM20 million and state posts to throw their support behind rival Umno, alleged a PAS Youth leader today.

The leader, who declined to be identified, named the trio who were involved. However, their names have not been published as attempts to contact them proved futile.

Following the March 21 general election, Umno is only two seats shy of wresting the state away from PAS.

When contacted, Kelantan state executive councillor Mohd Amar Abdullah said the state government has been informed of the offer but "could not ascertain its veracity".

However, Umno Kelantan state information chief Alwi Che Ahmad told malaysiakini that the allegation is baseless.

News of the offer has spread to PAS party members and supporters in other states and some have expressed concern that the development may cripple the party's only state government.

"We don't want to lose the one only state that we won," said a PAS politician from Perlis.

"Even my colleagues from Kelantan have expressed fear that the offer might just be taken up by the three leaders especially now when the state government is not exactly at its strongest ...compounded by the rumours of the resignation of our spiritual leader (Nik Aziz Nik Mat)," he added.

Unquestionable loyalty

However, Mohd Amar assured PAS members and supporters that there was no reason for them to doubt the loyalty of any of the party's state assemblyperson who are very dedicated in serving the people since they won the elections last March.

Expressing his confidence in them, he said Umno is only wasting its time and effort if it believes that PAS leaders can be bought.

"They can approach any of us but I would like to tell this to the Umno people, you cant buy loyalty from us. I say this on behalf of my colleagues as well," he stressed.

He also said that although the offer could not be verified, PAS will not take any chances.

"Although we are unsure, we are on guard. We are monitoring the situation at the moment so that we will not be caught by surprise," he added.

Mohd Amar said he was not surprised when he was first told of the RM20 million offer as Umno will not hesitate to part with such a hefty sum to take control of Kelantan.

"This is nothing new. They have done this before. We have lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency the last time and we will not hesitate to do that again if we have enough evidence.

"Ada orang nak jadi orang besar di Kelantan. (Some people want to become important people in Kelantan). They want to show that they can do something and can wrest the state away from PAS, they will stop at nothing," he said.

PAS has failed

Meanwhile Alwi who is also Ketereh member of parliament, said Umno would not have resorted to such corrupt tactics.

Instead, he accused PAS of creating the rumour as the party is afraid of its own shadow.

"They have failed in their administration and they know it. When we were in charge, they condemned us for buying Mercedes, allocating lands and timber for cronies but now they are doing exactly the same thing. They know they are incapable. it's time to give in to Umno and the Barisan Nasional," he said.

Although conceding that Umno harbours the desire to take over the state, Alwi stressed that the party will not resort to unethical measures.

"Yes we want to rule the state but we are not that desperate. We have never used money and we don't intend to start now.

"We will never buy anyone. And RM20 million? That's a lot of money. I would rather use it to build a university than give it to the PAS people," he added.

On the same note, he said such baseless rumours should not deter any PAS state assemblyperson who has lost faith in the PAS government from teaming up with Umno.

"We can always incorporate them into our team at the exco level or even give them the deputy mentri besar post. We don't mind because the cooperation will greatly benefit the people," he added.

He also said that cooperating with Umno does not mean that they would have to sign a membership form.

"They can always remain independent but at the same time work with us. Yes I believe they will be amply rewarded but not by Umno but by the people," he added.