PasMa out to strengthen Pakatan, not oust Hadi, Guan Eng claims

(Malay Mail Online) – Lim Guan Eng came to PasMa’s defence today, claiming the PAS splinter group’s objective is to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and not topple the Islamist party’s president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Lim, who is DAP secretary-general, also denied claims that he had met with PasMa (Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia) president Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi to discuss the plot against Hadi.

“These are all lies. There was no such discussion, so how can there be a leak of a so-called transcript of such a discussion?” Lim asked at a press conference at his office today, referring to the so-called transcript of his meeting with Phahrolrazi last month.

Lim also pointed out that as PasMa’s intention is to strengthen PR, any member from the coalition pact’s three parties could join the NGO, apart from PAS.

Phahrolrazi had paid a courtesy call on Lim on January 12, sparking rumours online that DAP and PasMa were in discussions to oust Hadi.

Former PAS Selangor state secretary Norman Toha reportedly told Umno Online that a “transcript of the discussion was leaked” and that both Lim and Phahrolrazi did not deny it.

Lim insisted that when he met with Phahrolrazi, PasMa had only thanked the Penang state government for its donations to the flood victims in Kelantan.

“There were no plans to overthrow anyone at all,” he added.

PasMa, which consists mostly of PAS members, has repeatedly denied that it is behind any plot to overthrow Hadi.