GE14 | The PAS non-Muslim Supporters Club (DPP) is delighted that the party has offered its non-Muslims members to contest in seven parliamentary seats.
Its chief P Asokan said the club has achieved a historic milestone in its support for the Islamic party.
"This has never happened in Penang before but today we are proud to be part of this historic event. We would like to declare our full support for all PAS candidates and we will stand by the party in any situation," Asokan said.
"Wherever there is PAS, DPP will be there," he quipped to cheers from the 800-odd crowd, who gathered in Pongsu Seribu, Kepala Batas, today.
"As Indians, we do not feel alienated by PAS but MIC is marginalised in Umno," said Asokan who has turned down an offer to contest in this election, citing family commitment.
"We urge all PAS non-Muslim members to fight with PAS until we seize Putrajaya."
Asokan was speaking to about 800 supporters, who turned up to watch the party's candidacy announcement for the election battle in Penang.
A PAS leader described the crowd as a "sea of people".
Accompanying state PAS commissioner Fauzi Yusof on the stage were the party's comrades from Gagasan Sejahtera, including leaders of the People's Alternative Party.
Later, Fauzi announced that the party will contest in six parliamentary and 18 state seats. The candidates for the non-Muslim supporters club will be announced at a later date.
'PAS never wavered in its principles'
Meanwhile, Penang PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said despite a barrage of criticisms against the party for quitting Pakatan Harapan in 2015, it has never wavered in its principles, nor would it be defeated.
The Permatang Pauh candidate also boasted that PAS leaders have never been probed for any corrupt practice, unlike those in other parties.
"We have heard academicians say that indeed there will be a Malay tsunami and a PAS tsunami in this general election. Academicians have also said PAS will persevere as it is a party with principles," added Afnan, who contested the Tasek Gelugor seat in 2013 but lost to Umno.
"People are fed up with parties that keep talking about who is the prime minister. They say, ‘vote me or Najib’," Afnan said, as someone in the crowd shouted "Mahathir!"
"Don’t be carried away too much..." said Afnan, adding what the people needed now is a party that discusses policies that will benefit the people.
As for multiple-cornered fights, Afnan asked who would win in such a scenario.
He asked who would be victorious among the three: those who can provide the most money, or throw the most gifts like free glasses or those who are good looking.
"How much much money can you pay? Even if you take all the wealth of the world, you cannot buy people's hearts, only Allah can unite people's hearts," Afnan said.
He cautioned PAS candidates and members not to antagonise voters but to approach them gently during the campaign period, which starts on April 28, which is candidate nomination day, until polling day on May 9.
"Only then can the people see the moon clearly," quipped Afnan to shouts of Takbir and Allahuakhbar.
Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim said the party cannot run away from the possibility of multiple-cornered fights in all seats in the state.
He reminded candidates and members not to insult others, or to become enemies with their opponents, even though they may have differing views.
"We have proven that we are competent, accountable and transparent, unlike those who sit in Komtar, who claim to be so," Iszuree said in an obvious dig at DAP.
"The party that sits in Komtar is a hypocrite that does not fulfil promises. They speak against corruption but are themselves probed for corruption.
"In the past they said, 'fight former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad', but today, they choose him as prime minister," he added.
"So which is a just government?" Iszuree asked and referred to the Kelantan administration, which he PAS said had been endorsed by the auditor-general as 99 percent clean. To this, the crowd responded, 'PAS!' -Mkini
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