Advise Umno To Change Its President Not Pas Kit Siang Told

---

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang should advise the party's ally Umno to consider changing its president rather than weighing on PAS-related matters.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said this is because the coalition government, especially its component Umno, is facing an erosion of trust and support among voters.
"If Lim thinks he has the right to question the change of leadership in parties other than DAP, it would be wise of him to advise his ally Umno, which is fast losing support among its members, and the public.
"The fact that Umno leaders are also involved in criminal cases which DAP itself used to oppose not too long ago, should worry Lim more," Takiyuddin (above, left) said in a statement today.
This was in response to a question raised by Lim on whether PAS would consider making newly elected Kemaman MP Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar the party president to replace Abdul Hadi Awang.
In saying so, Lim believed that the Terengganu menteri besar would be able to steer PAS to become a moderate and open-minded party.
Hypocritical, speculative politics
Elaborating, Takiyuddin said Lim should not ignore the fact that the Pakatan Harapan-BN pact lost more than 20,000 votes in the Kemaman by-election, compared to the one garnered in the 15th general election.
"The trend (of lost votes) is clear in all by-elections held after GE15, be it in Terengganu, Johor, or Pahang.
"Therefore, it would be more beneficial if Lim concentrated on Harapan-BN's internal problems instead of continuously engaging in hypocritical, speculative politics which does not benefit anyone,” he added.
‘PAS’ achievements under Hadi the best’
Takiyuddin then commented on the leadership of Hadi, whom Lim had repeatedly accused of being an extremist.
"PAS does not have any problems with Hadi's leadership. His presidential position has never been challenged, except for once, and he garners complete support from all delegates during the party's annual muktamar.
"PAS' achievements under Hadi's helm are the best compared to the previous eras. PAS is now the largest single party with the most seats in Parliament; it leads four states, and has representatives in all state legislative assemblies in Peninsular Malaysia," he said.
Takiyuddin slammed Lim for being "least qualified" to talk about moderation, as the latter is the adviser of a party filled with "racial rhetorics and chauvinism".
Kemaman MP Ahmad Samsuri MokhtarOn Saturday, Samsuri, who is an aeronautical engineer by profession, won the Kemaman seat with a vote share of 70.1 percent.
During the campaign, Perikatan Nasional repeatedly touted Samsuri as a future prime minister candidate.
The newly elected federal lawmaker, however, downplayed any personal ambitions for the post.
“It has never been my objective when I became a politician to take up such a high position.
“However, in the future, if I am entrusted by the party and the rakyat, I will consider it,” he said. - Mkini

---