PAS insisted on me joining Bersatu, Nenggiri polls candidate says

Perikatan Nasional’s candidate for the Nenggiri polls, Mohd Rizwadi Ismail said the PAS leadership had pressed him to leave the party and join Bersatu to contest in the by-election.

The former Gua Musang PAS Youth deputy chief told Harakah Daily that he was initially reluctant to do so as he was aware of the responsibility that lay ahead.

“But after being asked repeatedly to do so (to switch party) by PAS leadership, I relented,” he said.

On July 30, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man defended Rizwadi’s switch from PAS to Bersatu about 24 hours before being announced as a candidate, calling it a “strategic move”.

“The priority is to have a winnable candidate. So, when we were considering two to three names, he (Rizwadi) was found to be better accepted by the voters.

“So, we proposed his name and Bersatu agreed,” he told Malaysiakini.

However, several parties in the federal government mocked the move, with Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi calling it shameful.

He pointed out that Rizwadi (above) had even performed a sumpah laknat after his candidacy was announced, beseeching God to punish him if he switched parties later on.

Amanah central committee member Ridzwan Abu Bakar also questioned PAS’ policy, given the Islamist party had earlier called it “sinful” to leave the party.

Touching on the move, Riswadi said he was only informed of it two days before his coalition announced his candidacy.

“But I also sought clarification from top leaders such as PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin, Kelantan PAS commissioner Ahmad Yakob and of course, party president Abdul Hadi Awang.

“And I was told the move was decided upon based on collective agreement,” he added.

Just a ‘technical issue’

On that note, Rizwadi said the polemic of him leaving PAS for Bersatu should not arise given it was just a “technical issue” to ensure PN retains the Nenggiri seat.

“And I feel it is the best strategy for PAS and Bersatu for the by-election.”

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