Nothing wrong backing PAS, the ‘largest Malay party’ in country, says Annuar

 

PAS election chief Annuar Musa has claimed there is growing support for PN among Umno voters and this is evident in former BN strongholds like Changkat Petai in the Ayer Kuning constituency.

TAPAH: 

A PAS leader has claimed that the Islamic party’s standing as the “largest Malay party” in the country should be a key consideration for Ayer Kuning voters, especially Umno supporters, to back Perikatan Nasional in the upcoming by-election.

PAS election chief Annuar Musa said voting for PN candidate Abdul Muhaimin Malek would allow Umno members to express dissatisfaction with their party’s role in both the federal and Perak governments.

He claimed there has been a growing shift in support from Umno to PN since the 15th general election, including in Ayer Kuning, with the Changkat Petai polling district — once considered a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold — now said to be under PN’s influence.

“PAS now represents the majority of Malay voters in Parliament and the Perak state assembly, so there’s nothing wrong if Umno supporters back PN in the Ayer Kuning by-election,” Annuar, a former Umno secretary-general, told FMT.

“This is an opportunity to send a message. People are frustrated with broken promises, the rising cost of living and increased taxes.”

PAS currently holds 43 seats in Parliament and 18 in the Perak state assembly under the PN banner. The party also leads the opposition bloc in the Perak assembly through Gunung Semanggol assemblyman Razman Zakaria.

The Ayer-Kuning by-election on April 26 will see a three-way contest involving Muhaimin, BN’s Yusri Bakir and PSM’s KS Bawani.

A total of 31,897 voters are eligible to vote in Ayer Kuning. Early voting is scheduled for April 22.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Umno assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22. Ishsam won the seat in GE15 with a 2,213-vote majority in a five-way contest. - FMT