PAS leader does not rule out money politics

(The Star) KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat does not rule out the existence of money politics among aspirants vying for posts in the June party elections.

“It may be true that there’s money politics in the party and my advice to party members is to take the money but do not vote for the candidate.

“Let the candidate suffer,” he said.

He said it would be sad if money politics did exist in PAS as it would go to show that those involved were just interested in securing posts.

“Islam forbids bribery and I will be very disappointed if this happens,” he told reporters after contributing money to finance participants of a Mount Everest expedition at his office here yesterday.

On May 13, PAS Clerics Council chief Mohamad Daud Iraqi claimed that there was an element of money politics among the members.

He alleged that the delegates were given new shirts and were feted by aspirants.

To this, Nik Abdul Aziz said he agreed with the party’s disciplinary board to take action against Mohamad if he could not produce concrete proof.

“I agree with the board that when we want to expose something, we must have facts, otherwise it can cause tension among party members.”

“I cannot say whether what Mohamad had said was a criticism or an accusation because it is hard to say which is which,” he added.

On Saturday, PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa asked Mohamad to provide proof of money politics to the PAS council or disciplinary action would be taken against him.