Amid uncertain BN ties, PAS supporters told to pick PSM's Nik Aziz

SEMENYIH POLLS | Supporters of PAS have been told to vote for Parti Sosialis Malaysia in the March 2 Semenyih by-election, amid lingering doubts over the Islamist party's cooperation with Umno.

In a press conference today, PSM central committee member S Arutchelvan said that it would be dangerous for these supporters to back BN candidate Zakaria Hanafi if PAS is not clear on its ties with the former ruling coalition.

"The prime minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) said that PAS is not going to work with BN. We have yet to hear the views of PAS (president Abdul Hadi Awang).

"We need an opposition. But PAS acts as though it is silent," he said.

"It is dangerous to choose a party which is unclear (of its position), you have to choose a party which has a clear position.

"It is good for PSM, and we see the fragile cooperation between Umno and PAS as a positive (development) for us," he added.

The PSM candidate for the Selangor seat, Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul, concurred, saying that some of his friends in PAS are reluctant to pick either BN or Pakatan Harapan.

"I see it as a chance for PAS (supporters and members) to vote for me.

"If they are having difficulty supporting Harapan, and they are unclear whether PAS would work for BN, I am the best candidate for them," he said.

Nik Aziz added that some PAS supporters understand PSM's ideology.

BN was taken by surprise yesterday when Mahathir revealed that Hadi pledged that PAS would not support BN in the Semenyih by-election.

Although leaders from both Umno and PAS had denied it, Hadi himself has yet to clear the air.

A check by Malaysiakini showed there were not many PAS workers in the constituency on the second day of campaigning.

 

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