After Firing At Bersatu Pas Becomes Umno S Target

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PAS election director Sanusi Nor's veiled potshot at Bersatu's current finances, the party's ally in Perikatan Nasional, has instead prompted more attacks from rival Umno regarding the Islamist party's past dealings.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the revelation earlier today that Bersatu had footed the election bills for the 15th general election only served to confirm "rumours" that preceded the break-up of the Muafakat Nasional pact between Umno and PAS.
"No wonder PAS was willing to leave Umno in Muafakat Nasional to join Bersatu in registering and forming PN.
"At that time, many had already shared information that Bersatu had offered PAS financial assistance to face GE15," he said.
"Therefore, today, when the former political secretary to Muhyiddin Yassin himself revealed that all of Perikatan Nasional’s expenses – including those of PAS candidates – were borne by Bersatu, it only confirms what was said back then," said Asyraf in a statement.
In a Facebook post today, Marzuki Mohamad, who was Muhyiddin’s principal private secretary when the latter was prime minister, appeared to take a veiled swipe at Sanusi, who yesterday chastised PN allies for relying on PAS’ resources during elections.
In his winding-up speech at PAS’ 71st muktamar in Kedah, Sanusi said the party had to fork out a huge sum to cover election costs, whereas there were “rakan-rakan” (allies) who came to contest with empty hands.
Questions raised
Separately, Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi said Marzuki's "counter-attack" against Sanusi has raised several questions about PAS.
Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi"First, PAS does not know how to be grateful. Bersatu went through all the trouble to provide funds until PAS won 43 seats. Now PAS’ sarong has slipped off," he claimed.
The Umno veteran also questioned whether PAS had queried Bersatu over the source of funding.
"Did PAS ever ask where Bersatu’s political funds came from? Was it clean money or corrupt money?
"Now PAS and Bersatu are fighting over election funds. Marzuki said the minimum spending for one parliamentary seat was RM1 million.
"No wonder PN looked so lavish during GE15, even though PN had just been formed. Where did the money come from?" asked Puad.
The MACC, in January 2023, two months after GE15, froze and subsequently seized two Bersatu bank accounts to facilitate investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act.
As preparations heat up towards GE16, both Bersatu and PAS had at the parties' recent annual gatherings separately passed a resolution on PN's prime minister candidate, with the former endorsing Muhyiddin to be returned to lead Putrajaya.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, in his policy speech on Monday, indicated the party's readiness to govern the country, but at a press conference later elaborated that leaders above the age of 70 - which includes himself and Muhyiddin - should not be a prime minister.
End debates over PM candidate
In a statement today, PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden called for an end to debates over the prime minister candidate.
"Names have already been proposed. That’s sufficient.
PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden"When the time comes, whoever commands the majority support and is approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will be appointed. That’s the provision in the Federal Constitution, and all parties must respect it," he said.
The Alor Setar MP also alleged attempts by rivals from Harapan and BN to cover up the government coalition's "weaknesses" through pitting PN components against each other.
"Right now, Pakatan Harapan-BN is getting weaker. They are fighting among themselves. Umno is at odds with DAP. DAP is at odds with MCA. PKR is at odds with its own leader. Amanah, no one knows who they support or who they oppose.
"All these internal conflicts can clearly be seen, both inside and outside Parliament. So, PN must not overreact.
"There’s no need to act like a big brother or a little brother. PN is an equal partner," he said.
Afnan argued that each party has a right to offer its opinions, but a final decision will be reached through a consensus among PN components. - Mkini

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