ALOR STAR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) hopes to appeal to young voters who oppose kleptocracy, corruption and abuse of power as the coalition is said to share the same struggle, said its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The former prime minister said the coalition is ready for “battle” even though it will be tough as many seats will see multi-cornered fights in the coming 15th general election.
He added that despite efforts to avoid multi-cornered clashes, it is realistic to expect at least three or four candidates in every seat.
“Certain quarters are hoping for straight fights so their prospects of winning are better. But even if it’s a 10-cornered fight, PN is ready,” he said on the sidelines of the 68th PAS muktamar here at the Kedah PAS complex.
“The situation unfortunately will see three- to four-cornered fights. I know there are some parties who want straight fights, but it is looking increasingly difficult. Our aspirations are realistic, and we must prepare for multiple fights on all fronts.”
He also confirmed that the component parties – Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, Star and the Sabah Progressive Party – will discuss the use of the PAS logo in the three states they control – Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
“We will have a consensus on the use of the logo.”
Muhyiddin also said PN will now take days, not weeks or months, to finalise the seats allocation among its partners.
Meanwhile, the Bersatu president weighed in on PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s remarks that non-Muslims were to be blamed for corruption in the country.
Muhyiddin said it should be judged on the principle that such “evil acts” were now widespread and rampant in the country.
“Corruption is dominating the lives of both the Muslims and the non-Muslims. All are involved in this stigma, which PN wants to put a stop to.”
Hadi’s remarks had ignited a fierce backlash after he claimed that non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras were the ones most involved in causing corruption in the country.
Top leaders in Hadi’s party, however, were accused of receiving RM90 million of funds in 2016 from then prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, as alleged by the Sarawak Report website.
Najib allegedly wanted to ensure PAS’ support for Barisan Nasional and Umno ahead of the 2018 general election, the whistle-blower website had claimed.
Hadi sued Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown for defamation but later retracted the suit and opted for an out-of-court settlement.
Najib, however, has denied ever giving RM90 million to Hadi or to PAS. – The Vibes, September 3, 2022
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