Amanah is helping Barisan, not PAS

(The Star) – PAS has accused splinter party Amanah of handing Barisan an advantage in the Kuala Kangsar by-election by taking away opposition votes rightfully meant for the Islamist party.

PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said it did not make sense for Amanah to accuse PAS of helping Barisan when the latter had greater presence in the state as an Opposition entity.

He said that the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency had always been a “traditional seat” for PAS.

“Amanah is actually giving Barisan an advantage. They do not have the strength in numbers, yet insist on contesting.

“Kuala Kangsar is a traditional seat for PAS, no question. But they (Amanah) spin it around to suggest we are the ones helping Barisan? How does that make sense?” Idris told reporters at the party’s operations centre here on Sunday.

The party’s candidate for the by-election is Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, after her nomination papers were accepted by the Election Commission during the nomination process earlier in the day.

She is facing three opponents including Barisan’s Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid, Amanah’s Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

“PAS has unquestionably more support in Kuala Kangsar than Amanah. We have 35 branches statewide,” Idris said.

He also hit out at DAP for constantly attacking PAS, saying that this would only increase the dissatisfaction of Muslim voters towards its former Pakatan Rakyat partner.

“I tell some of my friends in DAP that it is really a shame for them to keep attacking PAS. They will turn away Malay support, because the Malays will become more fearful of DAP.

“Don’t even count on taking over Perak if that happens,” added the Bukit Gantang MP.