Guan Eng admits PAS is strong enough to hurt DAP in Penang

(Bernama) – PAS contesting in Penang in the next general election will give an advantage to the Barisan Nasional, said Pakatan Harapan deputy president Lim Guan Eng.

Lim, who is the secretary-general of the DAP, said PAS had the right to contest in any seat under the democratic system.

“It will be a challenge if PAS contests because all are seeing PAS as helping the BN, but everything will depend on the people,” he said to reporters here today.

He said the presence of PAS would give the BN the advantage of victory and that Gerakan, MCA and Umno would be happy with this.

Lim was asked to comment about PAS’ desire to field candidates in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency, as announced by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang at a party ‘ceramah’ (talk) in Permatang Pauh last night.

The Permatang Pauh seat is now held by PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who won the seat in a by-election in May 2015 after the incumbent and her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim lost his eligibility as an MP.

Abdul Hadi said Permatang Pauh was won by PAS in the 1978 general election through its representative Zabidi Ali.

PAS has been contesting the seat since 1969 and handed the seat to PKR in the 1999 general election.

Anwar had first represented the seat in 1982 for Umno-BN.