Azmin confident PAS won’t boycott Permatang Pauh

(Bernama) – PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali is confident that the party’s coalition partner PAS will not boycott the Permatang Pauh by-election. He said PAS had been cooperating in preparations.

He said this was also shown by the presence of PAS and DAP top leaders in pledging their open support for PKR’s victory.

“The support of coalition partners is very reassuring. When launching the Permatang Pauh by-election machinery three nights ago, we saw the presence of the top leaders of PAS and DAP openly pledging to ensure a Pakatan Rakyat victory,” he told reporters here.

Azmin had been asked about media reports that the ceremony on Tuesday was held without PAS leaders present.

PAS only sent its Muslimat chief Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, Penang deputy commissioner Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Permatang Pasir state assemblyman Mohd Salleh Man.

On the other hand, PKR top leaders and DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng had attended the event.

Mohamed Azmin brushed aside allegations by Permatang Pauh PAS information chief Jamsari Samad that PKR could face silent protests from the voters, including PAS supporters, if the party nominated PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail or other family member as the Pakatan candidate.

“This is only the voice of individuals”, he said, adding that the PKR candidate for the seat has been identified and declined to comment further.

The by-election is to fill the vacancy created by the disqualification of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who is serving a five-year jail sentence.

Candidates will be nominated next Saturday and polling held on May 7.