Abdul Hadi earns PKR’s wrath

(The Star) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang‘s support for an independent candidate in Damak has earned the ire of ally PKR.

Abdul Hadi had openly urged the Chinese voters, numbering about 1,000 people, to vote for Koh Boon Heng during a gathering here yesterday.

“I hope the people will give their support to Cikgu Koh on polling day. His symbol is hibiscus,” he said, holding the hands of Koh and the party’s parliamentary candidate for Jerantut Dr Hamzah Jaafar (picture).

PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh said it was against the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat to campaign for an independent.

“We view this matter seriously and will bring it up with the central leadership,” she said, adding that PKR was contesting the seat under the Pakatan banner.

The Damak state seat will see a four-cornered fight among Pakatan-endorsed candidate Jamaluddin Abdul Rahim of the PKR, incumbent Datuk Lau Lee of Barisan Nasional and two Independents – Mohd Nor Jaafar and Koh.

Chinese voters make up 34.3% of the 22,917 total voters in Damak.

Koh is Pahang DAP vice-chairman. However, his status in the party was uncertain as state DAP chairman Leong Ngah Ngah had declined to comment on whether Koh had been sacked for contesting as an Independent.

Earlier, both PKR and DAP were fighting to contest the Damak state seat with both the parties not willing to give way.

On Nomination Day, Koh proceeded to file his papers without endorsement from the party’s leadership.

He claimed that he stood a better chance to win after servicing the people over the last five years and would leave it to the party to decide on his membership.

Also present during Abdul Hadi’s campaign rounds in Damak yesterday were Pahang PAS commissioner Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tun Man and its candidates for Tahan and Pulau Tawar.

All three state seats Tahan, Damak and Pulau Tawar are under the Jerantut parliamentary seat.