LIKE A SURREAL NEVER-ENDING COMEDY, HADI & CO NOW SAY ITS ‘MANDATORY OBLIGATION’ FOR PAS TO SUPPORT UMNO’S MAT HASAN IN RANTAU

Fresh out of its formalisation of ties with Umno, PAS today announced that it would help Umno defend the Rantau state seat in the April 13 by-election.

In a statement, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (above right) said to that end, the party would deploy its machinery to work with its Umno counterpart during campaigning in Negeri Sembilan.

“PAS would like to confirm that it would help the Umno candidate win and retain the Rantau state seat in the April 13 by-election.

“This is a ‘mandatory obligation’ for the party, in line with the ‘ta’awun siyasi’ (political cooperation) established between PAS and Umno on March 5,” he said, adding that the Islamist party will merge the strength of its machinery in Rembau and Negeri Sembilan with that of Umno’s, to ensure a smooth running of operations during campaigning.

Takiyuddin further expressed confidence that acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan, who will contest the seat, will be given the mandate by the constituents in Rantau.

“This is based on his excellent track record, not only to the people of Rantau, but all in Negeri Sembilan,” he said.

Yesterday, Umno and PAS announced the formalisation of their ties, which Mohamad described as their “wedding ceremony”.

Earlier today, Election Commission chairperson Azhar Harun announced the by-election for the Rantau state seat will be held on April 13.

Nomination day will on March 30, while early voting will be held on April 9.

The announcement of the Rantau by-election comes after the Federal Court dismissed separate appeals filed by incumbent Mohamad and the EC on Feb 18.

The appeals had been filed against the earlier decision by the Seremban Election Court, which declared the state seat vacant and had ordered a by-election to be held.

Election Court judge, Justice Azimah Omar, made the judgment in November last year after the court found there was no requirement for a candidate to have a pass to enter the nomination centre.

This was in relation to a petition filed by Dr S Streram, PKR’s Rantau candidate for the 14th general election.

Streram had claimed that he had been denied entry into the nomination centre on April 28 last year on the grounds that he did not have an EC pass.

mkini