Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor was “just joking” when he claimed that the party’s allies had significantly relied on their funding and machinery in the previous general election, said Kelantan PAS liaison secretary Wan Roslan Wan Hamat.
According to Harian Metro today, Roslan said Sanusi (above) did not mention any names when he made the remark, stressing there is no conflict between PAS and Bersatu.
“All parties should give their full cooperation and focus on the next general election. We are also in the process of drafting action plans between PAS and Bersatu.
“Once everything is settled, with committee members selected, we will hold talks.
“Actually, there are no issues. It (Sanusi’s remarks) was only to ‘spice things up’… as of now, all parties are giving 100 percent focus on the upcoming general election,” he told reporters after attending a convocation event held at the Sultan Ismail Petra International Islamic College University.
During the recently concluded PAS' 71st muktamar in Kedah last week, Sanusi claimed that the Islamist party had to fork out a huge sum to cover election costs for their allies.
“We are facing friends who depend on equipment that we pay for. It happened here (Kedah), and I think the same also happened in other states.
“We asked each branch (to prepare) RM120,000 per ballot box. Before this, we have been paying for all the equipment, while they (PAS’ friends) came to contest without any worries.
“They do not have the machinery, they do not have money. Everything they did depended on us. But they want to be the leader?” the PAS election director asked.
In a rebuttal, Marzuki Mohamad, who served as the principal private secretary to former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, insisted that Bersatu had covered their own election expenses during the previous election.
He also said that Bersatu had even provided PAS with “substantial financial contributions”, which helped the Perikatan Nasional ally secure 43 seats.
Why not PM candidate from PAS?
Meanwhile, Roslan said it would be reasonable for PN to nominate a prime ministerial candidate from PAS if the latter wins the most seats in the next general election.
“Although we have not mentioned any names, PAS still have capable leaders who can assume the prime minister’s job.
“However, in my opinion, it is best for us to focus on winning the next election first.
“After winning, then we can discuss the matter,” the Pengkalan Kubor state assemblyperson added.
Amend electoral laws
Two days ago, Bersih urged the government to amend the Election Offences Act in response to Sanusi’s claims that up to RM1 million is needed to campaign for parliamentary seats in each constituency.
The election watchdog also criticised the PAS leader for tarnishing the credibility of politicians, as it gives off the impression that they are likely to overspend and exceed the budget outlined by existing laws.
“We wish to remind all parties, especially political parties, that Section 19 of the Election Offences Act 1954 outlines an expenditure limit of RM200,000 for Dewan Rakyat elections, and RM100,000 for state legislative assembly,” Bersih added. - Mkini
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