PAS: Our MPs are clean, can't be pressured into joining Harapan

PAS Tumpat MP Che Abdullah Mat Nawi today claimed that Umno MPs are defecting to Pakatan Harapan to escape prosecution for their "mistakes."

In contrast, Che Abdullah said, PAS' own lawmakers are "clean" and are therefore not be under pressure to save themselves by joining the ruling coalition.

"Perhaps as ministers in the past, they may have made mistakes – major wrongdoing is another issue.

"Based on those mistakes, they are being prosecuted. In order to save themselves from charges, they defect," he told journalists in Kota Bharu.

The Kelantan PAS secretary was referring to the recent exodus of MPs and state assemblypersons from Umno.

"Our MPs are clean. There is no pressure to save themselves. Our struggle is not to become ministers or gain positions but to uphold our principles.

"So, whoever who holds on to these principles, they will remain with PAS," he insisted.

On Sunday, it was revealed that two PAS MPs had met with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan claimed the meeting could potentially be a breach of party discipline, and that he would summon the two unnamed MPs to explain themselves.

On a sarcastic noted, Che Abdullah also said that anyone joining Harapan will suddenly "become clean."

"After joining Harapan, they become 'clean'. There is no difference between old Malaysia and new Malaysia. It's the same as in the Umno era."

Che Abdullah also highlighted the government's decision to drop the graft charges against Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng in September over the alleged status conversion of state land and the purchase of a bungalow at below market value.

Lim had maintained the charges, initiated by the previous government, were politically motivated. - Mkini