Mat Sabu recalls when PAS rode the rocket, DAP in Nik Aziz T-shirts

NENGGIRI BY-ELECTION | In deconstructing the love-hate relationship between DAP and PAS, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, with his trademark wit, did not rule out the possibility of the bitter foes mending ties again.

He also recalled when PAS leaders rode on DAP’s “rocket” - referring to the party’s logo - and heaped praises on its leaders, such as Lim Guan Eng, while DAP members paraded in T-shirts bearing the image of the late PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Therefore, Mohamad, a former PAS leader himself, urged the voters in Nenggiri to take the Islamist party’s “political fatwa” with a pinch of salt such as the labelling of DAP as “kafir harbi”.

“In two general elections in 2008 and 2013, we were with PAS and DAP. Lim (then DAP secretary-general) was even praised as being like Umar Abdul Aziz.

“In 2008, many DAP women wore Nik Aziz shirts, and many PAS leaders wore ‘rocket’ shirts and caps. At that time, there were no issues.

“Then in 2015, they parted ways with DAP and PKR. Maybe next year, they’ll say that being friends with DAP is a blessing from Allah,” he said at a ceramah, according to Bernama.

‘Don’t be deceived’

Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, reminded Muslim voters not to be deceived by this political rhetoric and instead adhere to consistent religious principles.

“The fatwa we should hold onto are like prayers, fasting during Ramadan, avoiding alcohol, paying zakat, and performing the umrah.

“Consider these (PAS) fatwa as something you hear with your right ear and let them out through your left ear. Don’t take them seriously. These fatwa will change with every election; don’t hold onto them because they’re just fleeting, depending on the season and circumstances,” he added.

Amanah election director Mohd Sany Hamzan, speaking at the same ceramah, said the entire party machinery from across the country had been mobilised to assist the BN candidate’s by-election campaign.

“From Johor to Perlis, we’ve mobilised our forces to campaign and be present at the four polling district centres, namely Jeram Tekoh, Bertam Baru, Sungai Asap and Jerek, to run programmes and activities to support brother Awie (Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani), candidate number two,” he added.

DAP, on the other hand, has not been invited to participate in the campaign for the Malay-majority seat located in the PAS-dominated state of Kelantan, in order not to provide fodder for PAS and its allies.

The Aug 17 Nenggiri by-election will witness a straight fight between Azmawi and Perikatan Nasional’s Mohd Rizwadi Ismail.

The by-election is being held following the vacancy announcement by Kelantan assembly speaker Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19 after receiving notice that its former assemblyperson Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who won the seat in the last state election, had ceased to be a member of Bersatu.

DAY 11 | Azmawi can become 'bridge' to Putrajaya - Zahid

PAS leader: Absent 'big brother' DAP will still shatter Umno's dream

DAP leaders lodge police report over 'kafir harbi' remark

Nenggiri to get ATM services soon - Finance Ministry

FT mufti: Labelling non-Muslims 'kafir harbi' an extreme act