Hadi denies blessing son-in-law's 'dedak cartel' revelation
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today denied claims that he sanctioned his son-in-law Zaharudin Muhammad’s move to name the five who are allegedly in a “dedak cartel” in the party.
He told reporters he had never done such a thing, and he as party president had been unaware of the allegations...
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today denied claims that he sanctioned his son-in-law Zaharudin Muhammad’s move to name the five who are allegedly in a “dedak cartel” in the party.
He told reporters he had never done such a thing, and he as party president had been unaware of the allegations.
“(The claim that I) gave my blessing is not true. I didn’t give my blessing,” he told a press conference before a breaking fast event organised by the party in Ampang.
The Marang MP likened the revelation of a "dedak cartel" in the party to an old movie that is deliberately screened again.
“It is over long ago. We consider the matter closed. It is a disciplinary matter,” he said.
Also present at the press conference were PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and the three vice-presidents - Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, Iskandar Abdul Samad and Idris Ahmad - and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.
Yesterday, Zaharudin (photo) named five people that he claimed to be part of a "dedak cartel" in the party.
He said they are “Dr Hussam II”, “Mr NT”, “Mr KT”, “Mr KH”, and a fifth individual whom “everyone knows”.
Zaharudin claimed that these individuals had received funds from Umno to those linked to Umno, and his move to expose them had received the blessing (restu) of this father-in-law Hadi.
"Dedak" is a Malay term for animal feed, specifically rice bran. However, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also popularised the use of the term to refer to bribery.
Meanwhile, Takiyuddin explained that the matter would be handled by the PAS disciplinary committee.
“We have been informed. We have received complaints about a breach of conduct.
“The PAS disciplinary committee will decide. The complaints will be investigated and prosecuted,” he said.
PAS central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, who is believed to be one of the individuals implicated by Zaharudin, declined to speak to reporters when approached before the press conference.
Instead, he directed the requests for comment to Hadi.
“Don’t ask me, go ask inside (the room where the press conference is to be held). All the answers are there,” he said.
