Bersatu weak without PAS, claims Umno veteran

Bersatu cannot stand without the support of its ally PAS, claimed the Umno Veterans’ Club, pointing to the former’s decision to use the Islamist party’s banner instead of its own for an upcoming by-election.

The club secretary, Mustapha Yaakub, said in this way Bersatu can “trick” PAS supporters into voting for Bersatu in the Nenggiri state polls.

“Bersatu does not dare to use its or the Perikatan Nasional logo in Nenggiri because they know PAS supporters will not vote for Bersatu candidates.

“Using the PAS logo, Bersatu can trick PAS voters,” he said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Berita Harian reported Bersatu vice-president Mohd Radzi Md Jidin as saying that the party will use the PAS logo to maintain the strategy used in the last general election.

Mustapha (above) claimed that similar events occurred during the 15th general election when Bersatu won several seats in Kelantan with PAS’ support.

“That is why in the Nenggiri by-election, Bersatu has to use the PAS logo with the excuse that they are in the same coalition.

“This is different from the Sungai Bakap by-election. Even though the candidate was from PAS, they used the PN logo,” he explained.

Power of PAS logo

In the 2022 general election, at least two Bersatu candidates - Ikmal Hisham Abdul, and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal - used the PAS flag to contest in Kelantan parliamentary seats.

Both won in Tanah Merah and Machang constituencies respectively.

Therefore, Mustapha called on PAS voters to reject the Bersatu candidates and for PAS to stop being a “coolie” to Bersatu.

“The experience of its (Bersatu) former representatives supporting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proves that the PN coalition cannot govern Kelantan without the federal government's help,” he added.

The Nenggiri by-election was triggered after Kelantan assembly speaker Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah announced that the state seat was vacant following Bersatu revoking Mohd Azizi Abu Naim’s party membership on June 13.

The Election Commission has set polling for Aug 17, with the nomination of candidates on Aug 3 and early voting on Aug 13.

Umno has named its Kelantan Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani as a candidate.

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