'The truth': Dr M maintains Hadi said PAS won't back Umno in Semenyih
SEMENYIH POLLS | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir today insisted that he was told by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that his party would not back Umno in the upcoming Semenyih by-election.
Mahathir first made the claim during a press conference yesterday, and reiterated that Hadi, along with PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, had said the same in a meeting on Friday...
SEMENYIH POLLS | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir today insisted that he was told by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that his party would not back Umno in the upcoming Semenyih by-election.
He said this was as Umno's adversary in the coming March 2 by-election was not from DAP.
Mahathir first made the claim during a press conference yesterday, and reiterated that Hadi, along with PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, had said the same in a meeting on Friday.
"I have to tell the truth. Hadi, Takiyuddin and Samsuri admitted that they would not support Umno this time (in Semenyih), because Umno is not up against DAP.
"They previously supported Umno because the rival candidate was from DAP," he said at a press conference in Puchong after launching the National Community Policy.
"They told me that they will not support Umno, but they do not want to declare it.
"But when I heard about the denials, I am forced to state what actually happened," said Mahathir.
Among others, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri refuted Mahathir's claim and described it a "very desperate" statement.
Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, meanwhile, claimed that Mahathir's statement was intended to damage relations with PAS.
"What more now it is apparent that cooperation between Umno and PAS in Semenyih, at branch, division, state and federal levels, is more coordinated compared to the previous by-elections.
"Therefore, I don't see any truth in what was said by the prime minister," said Shamsul Anuar on Mahathir's remarks yesterday.
Mahathir, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson, however today insisted he has in his possession a written agreement which was signed by Takiyuddin.
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His comments yesterday came just hours after PAS representatives accompanied BN candidate Zakaria Hanafi for his nomination.
It also contradicted acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan’s statement yesterday that his party will be working closely together with PAS throughout the Semenyih campaign, and even share responsibilities.
Commenting further, Mahathir said the PAS delegation did not state their support for Harapan or Bersatu.
"Just that they don't support Umno and (they said) their leaders will not be present (during the nomination day).
"But as we all know, their leaders were present anyway," he added.
