PAS’s Aidilfitri do in Perlis was planned in advance, says info chief

PN leaders, including Bersatu chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, Gerakan president Dominic Lau, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, and Selangor Bersatu chief Azmin Ali walking with the coalition’s candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, Khairul Azhari Saut yesterday morning.

PETALING JAYA: PAS has downplayed the absence of its party leaders at the Kuala Kubu Baharu nomination centre yesterday morning, saying the party’s Aidilfitri open house, which they had all attended in Perlis, was planned in advance.

In a Facebook post, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the decision to hold the celebration yesterday had been decided by the party’s central committee even before Ramadan.

“Meanwhile, the invitation to the public was disseminated as early as April 18 on Perlis PAS’s Facebook page, at a time when Perikatan Nasional itself had not yet decided which party would represent the coalition in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election,” he said.

Fadhli added that organising open house celebrations in different states is not an uncommon practice for the party. In 2022, it was held in Perak, while last year, it was held in Kedah.

Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.

“So, it’s not a problem. Perhaps the minister overlooked it because he was not invited,” he said, referring to communications minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Yesterday, Fahmi, who is PKR information chief, took a swipe at PAS leaders for skipping the Kuala Kubu Baharu nomination day.

Fahmi said it was “interesting” that top PAS leaders were in Perlis yesterday morning instead of showing support for the PN candidate, Khairul Azhari Saut of Bersatu.

Several top PN leaders accompanied Khairul to the nomination centre at 9am yesterday, including Bersatu chairman Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin, Gerakan president Dominic Lau, Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Selangor Bersatu chief Azmin Ali and Malaysian Indian People’s Party president P Punithan.

Bernama reported that PAS had organised its central-level Aidilfitri open house in Kangar from 11am to 2pm, yesterday.

Among the leaders who were present were PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor, Perlis menteri besar Shukri Ramli and the party’s spiritual leader Hashim Jasin.