Hamzah For Pm Pas Sec Gen Coy On Viral Clip Circles Back To Hadi S Remark

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PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan today sidestepped questions over the content of an audio recording claiming the party wants Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin as Perikatan Nasional's prime minister candidate.
Speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, he said the onus falls on the person making such a claim to prove.
Takiyuddin also played coy when addressing an alleged meeting where Hamzah's name was purportedly nominated by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, saying it is normal for leaders of PN component parties to meet regularly.
"We (PAS) in PN always have meetings with Gerakan, with MIPP (Malaysian Indian People’s Party), and of course with Bersatu.
ADS"There are always meetings, so if people say there was a meeting involving the top five PAS leaders meeting whoever... that's normal. In fact, during parliamentary sessions, our PAS president often holds (sessions) like usrah (Islamic study circle), where all PN MPs would join.
"So for us, such meetings are a normal thing, not something unusual.
"As for the matter being talked about, whoever is making the accusation, it is their responsibility to prove it. The burden of proof is on the prosecution - the one making the accusation has to answer for it," he said.
Earlier today, a short audio clip had gone viral on WhatsApp. It contained a voice similar to a certain Bersatu leader - who appeared to be speaking to a group of people - claiming Hadi had made such an overture during a meeting between top PAS leaders and several leaders from Bersatu, including Hamzah.
Strategic move
In an article published on Fulcrum, Khairy Jamaluddin weighed in on the rift within PN, describing PAS’ decision to back Hamzah over Muhyiddin as a strategic move.
The former Umno leader noted that if a hung parliament were to occur, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong could play a decisive role in choosing the next prime minister, and Hamzah is regarded as a figure more acceptable to the royalty.
Ex-Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin“He is also, for now, devoid of the political baggage that Muhyiddin carries with his corruption case,” he added.
Khairy said PAS views Hamzah as someone who has a better chance of returning PAS and other PN allies to power.
“However, with every side in Malaysian politics busy jostling over their respective ‘poster boys’, they risk missing the forest for the trees. The obsession with personalities, most of whom are ageing politicians, is robbing the country of a more considered political debate about key policies for the country.
“As it is, PN has been criticised for not being a substantive opposition but rather relying on backroom intrigues and playing with divisive identity politics. It is wise for them to spend less time choosing whom to offer to the voter, and thinking more about what Malaysians might want from the next government,” he added. - Mkini

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