Isn't leaving PAS 'haram', Amanah leader mocks PN's Nenggiri ploy

Perikatan Nasional’s decision to make a PAS member quit the party and join Bersatu to become its candidate for Nenggiri has been questioned by an Amanah leader.

Amanah central committee member Ridzwan Abu Bakar pointed out that it was considered sinful to exit the party before.

“The ruling for leaving PAS is haram, so what is the ruling for signing a letter approving someone’s exit from PAS?” he asked in a Facebook post today.

Attached to his post was a purported letter from Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, PN’s candidate for the Nenggiri by-election, dated July 28 requesting to leave PAS.

The letter was signed by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told Malaysiakini the decision to make Rizwadi join Bersatu was a strategic move.

Ridzwan said PAS’ decision was a major departure from the condemnation hurled at Amanah members when they split from the former in 2015.

“But such is PAS. It is considered ‘other’, and not bound by (Islamic) rulings and laws,” he said.

Switching parties but not logo

The Nenggiri seat was declared vacant after its incumbent Mohd Azizi Abu Naim’s Bersatu membership was voided.

PAS leaders in Kelantan had lobbied to get the seat back from Bersatu but the PN leadership decided to maintain the status quo.

It was ultimately decided for Rizwadi to quit PAS and join Bersatu to be the Nenggiri candidate.

Tuan Ibrahim said the PN leadership felt that Rizwadi would appeal to both PAS and Bersatu supporters.

Furthermore, he pointed out that PAS wielded greater influence in the Gua Musang parliamentary constituency, which encompasses Nenggiri, compared to its partner.

Despite being a Bersatu member, Rizwadi will contest under the PAS logo - which has been PN’s strategy for Kelantan and Terengganu since the 15th general election.

Nenggiri goes to the polls on Aug 17.

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