PAS apologises for Gerakan chief snub, wants rebellion to end

 

STATE POLLS | PAS has apologised for the incident involving Gerakan president Dominic Lau, who was snubbed at Perikatan Nasional ceramah in Penang.

Party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said as the leader of a PN component party and candidate in the state election, Lau should be accorded adequate respect.

However, he also acknowledged the sentiment among PAS grassroots leaders and supporters with regard to Lau being fielded in Bayan Lepas, which is a Malay-majority constituency.

“PAS is aware that politics within a coalition can lead to instances of dissatisfaction and disappointment over the allocation of seats or the nomination of candidates,” he said.

Takiyuddin (above) pointed out that since the top leadership agreed to Lau contesting the seat, the decision should be accepted.

Gerakan president Dominic Lau

“Members and supporters must accept it with an open heart and place their trust in the leadership, helmed by (PAS president) Abdul Hadi Awang,” he added.

Apart from creating a disharmonious situation within PN, Takiyuddin said members and supporters should realise that continued protests and transgressions also “challenge and question the wisdom and decision of the PAS president”.

“In a political environment tainted by chauvinistic and extremist narratives, PAS as the oldest and biggest Islamic party has the responsibility to show the way towards a mature and moderate politics as well as to help and protect those who are in need.

“Based on this background, PAS sees Lau and Gerakan as part of the group which needs assistance and protection.

“I reiterate the call for PAS members to be magnanimous in extending a helping hand on the principle of friendship and brotherhood,” he added.

Takiyuddin also urged members and supporters of all PN parties to set aside “trivial issues” which can weaken their efforts and to focus on the state election instead.

After Lau was named as the candidate for Bayan Lepas, there were threats of boycott from the local PAS grassroots.

Chased away

On Tuesday, Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim, who was tipped to be the candidate for the seat, barred Lau from joining PN leaders on stage during a ceramah.

He told the Gerakan president that he was not invited and asked him to “go away”.

However, Lau later said he left on his own accord after failing to meet Hadi due to time constraints.

Yesterday, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong, who is also the party’s Penang chief, described it as disrespectful and demanded an explanation from PAS. - Mkini