PAS imposes gag order on members after ‘dedak cartel’ expose

All views, suggestions and criticism must go through party channels, PAS says. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: PAS has issued a gag order barring its members from raising issues related to the party in the media, including social media, following the expose of a “dedak cartel” which allegedly took money from Umno.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said those who failed to comply with the gag order would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.

“Any views, suggestions and even criticism must go through party channels.

“This is to ensure freedom of speech as well as to maintain confidentiality within the party,” he said in a statement today.

The issue of a “dedak” or bribes cartel was raised by Zaharudin Muhammad, the son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

In a Facebook post, he raised the issue of an audio recording involving Bachok MP Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz talking about Umno’s funding of PAS.

In the recording, a man can be heard admitting that PAS leaders received funds from Umno.

According to reports, Nik Abduh initially denied being the person speaking in the audio recording but came clean in February, claiming that Hadi had given him permission to make the denial.

On Sunday, Zaharudin claimed that Hadi had given him the go-ahead to expose the existence of the “dedak cartel”.

Zaharudin, who has since been ordered by the Islamist party to explain his allegation, also said that critics had tried to persuade Hadi to get him to withdraw his claims.

However, Hadi yesterday denied giving Zaharudin his blessing to expose the cartel, saying the top leadership had received a report on Zaharudin’s alleged breach of party discipline and that he would be referred to PAS’ disciplinary committee. - FMT