Umno has no moral legitimacy to raise issue of money politics, says PAS

 

PETALING JAYA: Umno has no moral legitimacy to accuse PAS of practising money politics or bribery, says Khairil Nizam Khirudin (pic).

The Islamist party's information chief claimed that PAS had never used such tactics to woo voters unlike "other parties" who are known for such practices during their party elections or general election.

"PAS president (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) had explained in Negri Sembilan on Sunday (Jan 22) that election rules do not allow for a political candidate to give cash handouts to voters but if an individual or member of the public wanted to contribute, it is up to them. Such contributions by a member of the public have nothing to do with the candidates, their representatives or PAS as a party," he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 23).

Khairil Nizam was responding to Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who had said that "If he (Hadi) does it, it is a charitable act, but if others do it, it is corruption".

"The Umno president's statement clearly contradicts the true meaning of what was meant by the PAS president," said Khairil Nizam.

Earlier, Umno information chief Isham Jalil had challenged Perikatan Nasional to prove its claim or “solid evidence” that it did not bribe the voters at the general election in Nov. - Star