PAS joining coalition govt? Fahmi says there are 'a lot of discussions'

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has neither denied nor confirmed rumours that its fierce political rival PAS will be joining the federal ruling coalition.

The government spokesperson, in response to a question, said there are many “ongoing discussions” between the government and the opposition, particularly with state leaders.

However, he did not specify whether the federal government and PAS had an exclusive discussion on the matter.

“Indeed there are a lot of discussions.

“We can see how discussions between the menteris besar from PAS, for example discussing with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, discussions among Parliament members with the prime minister,” he told reporters outside the Sungai Bakap by-election nomination centre.

Fahmi was part of the Pakatan Harapan delegation accompanying coalition government candidate Joohari Ariffin at the centre on nomination day today.

Joohari is in a straight fight against Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail for the seat.

The rumour surfaced in October last year with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang previously dismissing the Islamist party had any intention to be part of the federal ruling coalition.

‘Illogical’ claim

Hadi was responding to a remark made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim saying the doors for PAS to join the coalition government are always open.

Fahmi further commented on the allegation that the government had been using its machinery for the Sungai Bakap election campaign.

He said the allegation is “illogical” as the campaign period just started today and the prime minister had explicitly warned against using government machinery for political means.

“This is a wild allegation, (because) first of all the campaign period just started today.

“As the nomination process ended just now, so the instructions from the prime minister towards the ministers and the (Penang) government is to be careful so that we don’t abuse government machinery for the election campaign,” he added.

The minister’s response came after Manjoi assemblyperson Mohd Hafez Sabri accused the ruling coalition of dishing out “goodies” and using government machinery for the by-election campaign.

Hafez, who is also deputy PAS Youth chief, said the real fight in the next two weeks of campaigning is against the Harapan machinery, as the party bids to retain the seat.

Polling is set for July 6, with early voting scheduled for July 2.

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