'RM90m for PAS' - Hadi claims suicidal for Umno to fund own destruction

 

Handing tens of millions of ringgit to PAS would have been suicidal for Umno as it would allow the former to capture the entire nation, according to the Islamist party’s president Abdul Hadi Awang. 

The Marang MP said this in dismissing the allegation that PAS received RM90 million from Umno during former premier Najib Abdul Razak’s tenure.

In a Facebook post today, Hadi said not many well-heeled individuals were prepared to donate to PAS because the party was not expected to capture Putrajaya.

“However, PAS contested in elections through donations collected from its members nationwide, including in Sabah and Sarawak, and mostly in Umno areas.

“PAS was able to capture three states and be a part of the federal government with our move to invite Umno, Bersatu, and other parties together against the weak Pakatan Harapan government.

“Therefore, with the RM90 million, certainly PAS would have taken over the entire country,” he added.

Furthermore, Hadi said it would have been “idiotic and suicidal” for Umno to donate the sum as it would have allowed PAS to vanquish both Harapan and Umno.

PAS and Umno had been political arch-rivals for decades but ties improved over the last few years under Hadi’s leadership, especially after Harapan won the 2018 general election.

Hadi took legal action

On Aug 6, 2016, the online portal Sarawak Report accused PAS of receiving RM90 million as part of an inducement for the party to support Umno and BN in the general election.

PAS had denied the allegation and Hadi initiated legal action against Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown, in London, on April 21, 2017.

Clare Rewcastle-Brown

However, Hadi himself had on Feb 2, 2019, moved to seek an out-of-court settlement with Rewcastle-Brown, who later revealed she had received a payment of RM1.4 million.

In his Facebook post, Hadi recalled MACC’s confirmation that there was no amount totalling RM90 million that was credited into the party's account.

He added that PAS is always prepared to be investigated further if required.

Overall, Hadi said PAS believes that it would receive “free divine rewards” from all the slander and anger toward it. - Mkini