'PN needs Gerakan', Bersatu to mediate in spat with PAS: Wan Fayhsal

Bersatu will play the role of mediator to cool tensions between coalition allies PAS and Gerakan, said its Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

The two alliance partners have been at loggerheads over matters pertaining to the role of brewery companies in facilitating fundraising events for Chinese schools.

Speaking at a press conference today, Wan Fayshal said “PN cannot afford to lose Gerakan” as the alliance represents a multiracial society.

He expressed confidence that the party leadership will have an internal meeting to resolve this matter after the conclusion of the Nenggiri by-election.

“We are not far-right Malay, xenophobic, Islamist or extremist. We (PN) are meant for everyone.

“I think PAS will agree with me on this aspect but it’s common for ‘brothers’ to argue sometimes.

“I will help my leaders to bridge the gap between PAS and Gerakan,” he told reporters after handing over a memorandum to PN Senator Razali Idris outside Parliament today.

The memorandum was to urge Dewan Negara senators to voice their objections over the Mavcom (Dissolution) Bill 2024 and CAAM (Amendment) Bill 2024, as well as for the bills to be referred to the Parliamentary Special Select Committee.

No love lost

While some had previously opposed the involvement of alcoholic beverage companies in charity events in Chinese vernacular schools - as occurred recently in Sepang - Gerakan opined such collaboration should not be banned.

This had drawn condemnation from PAS leaders such as its information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, while the party mouthpiece Harakahdaily deemed Gerakan’s stance to be the same as DAP’s.

In response, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong said the party would not hesitate to leave PN if it means defending the Chinese education system.

Separately, PN election director Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor made it clear that no tears would be shed if Gerakan chose to leave the coalition.

Blatant promotion of alcoholism

Wan Fayhsal today said he understood PAS and Gerakan’s stance over the matter.

However, the Machang MP said he did not agree for alcoholic beverages to be promoted in schools - be it vernacular schools or otherwise - as educational institutions are not restaurants.

“We are not against vernacular schools. We think vernacular schools have the right to raise funds from any source.

“But you cannot blatantly promote alcoholism in schools like what happened in the school in Sepang.

“It is also wrong for (Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister) Aiman Athirah (Sabu) to give a thumb-up with the banner (mock cheque). That’s an insult to the religion, race and people at large,” he added.

Last Saturday, former education minister Maszlee Malik called for Aiman’s resignation as Sepang MP as well as Amanah women’s chief after the latter’s attendance at a charity event organised by SJK(C) Tche Min in Sungai Pelek, Selangor.

Controversy broke out after Tiger Beer was found to be involved in supporting the event.

The issue went viral after a photo of Aiman holding the mock cheque with Tiger Beer’s logo made its rounds on social media.

Her presence at the charity event was heavily criticised by PAS.

Aiman has since apologised to those who may have felt slighted by her holding the mock cheque.

She also lashed out at her detractors over her participation in the event, labelling them as “hypocrites”.

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