MARANG: Pas has clarified that it has thrown its support behind Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad until the 15th General Election for the sake of religion, race and the nation.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said this was expressed in a document which underlined the Islamic party’s commitment to the prime minister.
Clarifying Dr Mahathir’s claim that Pas had offered a written undertaking to not support Umno in the Semenyih by-election, Takiyuddin explained that the document was a “sample” to show Pas’ support for Dr Mahathir, on the basis of looking after the interest of the religion, nation and the race until GE15.
Speaking to the press after a meeting with between the top Pas leadership here today, Takiyuddin said the written undertaking was necessary as Pas “smelt something off” within the government led by Dr Mahathir.
“If treachery occurs in the Pakatan government and affects the nation, we will act. Pas will rally behind Dr Mahathir if anything happens to him. All our 18 parliamentary seats will support Tun. That is clear,” he added.
The 1½-one-an-a half hour meeting, chaired by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang Hadi, was also attended by vice-presidents Datuk Mohd Nik Amar Nik Abdullah and Idris Ahmad, Youth chief Abdul Khalil Abdul Hadi, Muslimat chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh, Dewan Ulama information chief Datuk Dr Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali and information chief Nasrudin Nasarudin Hassan Tantawi.
The meeting was called after Pas’ support for Umno in the Semenyih by-election was called into question by Dr Mahathir on Friday. The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman had said that in his meeting with Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi, the Pas president had told him that Pas it would not be supporting Umno in the Semenyih by-election.
Clarifying the matter, Takiyuddin said Pas would be “consistent” in its cooperation with Umno in the Semenyih by-election, but at the same time, said the level of support would be different from the one it had accorded to Barisan Nasional in the recent Cameron Highlands by-election.
This, he said, was in line with the party’s struggle to uphold Islam and the Malay cause while maintaining its relations with Umno on the basis of unity and solidarity as members of the opposition.
“There was no written declaration or undertaking that Pas will not support Umno in Semenyih, but there were discussions between Dr Mahathir and our president.
“Verbally, Pas made its stand not to contest in the by-election. But the degree of commitment will be different from the Cameron Highlands by-election. It will not be more nor will it be less.”
He said the Pas machinery was is already active in Semenyih, with its Youth and Muslimat wings already on the ground.
“Our level of support for the opposition (BN) is open to interpretation. The issue of whether we support Umno does not arise. We have notified BN of our stand and they have accepted it,” he added.
“An agreement was also reached on the need to forge better cooperation in the spirit of federalism between the federal and state governments of Kelantan and Terengganu, especially on matters related to administration, development and oil royalty.”
Takiyuddin said that in their meeting, Dr Mahathir and Hadi also discussed the formation of the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) to look after the interest of Kelantan and Terengganu.
“We don’t have a PH representative to bridge the gap in Kelantan and Terengganu. We have proposed a joint chairman for MTEN in the two states. The government had appointed Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Yusof to look after Terengganu and (Economic Affairs Minister) Datuk Seri Azmin Ali for Kelantan.
“We need coordination and cooperation between the federal and state governments. We were informed told that Dr Mahathir will raise this matter in cabinet."
Takiyuddin’s remarks came hours after Dr Mahathir reiterated that the Pas president, in their Friday meeting, told him that the Isl
amic party would not be supporting Umno in Semenyih.
Dr Mahathir, speaking to reporters after the launch of the National Community Policy in Puchong, Selangor, said Hadi, Takiyuddin and Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had made the pledge but decided against making it public.
“I will have to tell the truth. Hadi, Takiyuddin and Ahmad Samsuri agreed that Pas will not give its support to Umno for the Semenyih by-election, as the party’s opponent is not from DAP.
“Previously, during the Cameron Highlands by-election, Pas supported Umno because the Pakatan candidate was from DAP.
“But, since they have denied it, I have no choice but to reveal what actually transpired (behind closed doors),” Dr Mahathir said.
Dr Mahathir said the trio had also promised that Pas leaders would not attend the poll’s nomination day for the Semenyih by-election.
“But somehow, the party’s leaders attended the event.”