Defying orders, Penang PAS Youth divisions to continue boycotting Permatang Pauh campaign

(Malay Mail Online) – Several Penang PAS Youth divisions maintained today that they will continue to boycott PKR’s campaign in Permatang Pauh, despite previous instructions from their party’s central leadership to stand united with their Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally.

In a statement here, youth members from several divisions in Penang including Permatang Pauh and Bukit Mertajam, stood by their state youth leadership’s decision to stick with the boycott that was started after PKR allegedly insulted PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang over hudud.

“It should be emphasised that Penang PAS Youth Divisions supports the decision and stand of the Penang PAS Youth regarding the media statement by Penang PKR Youth that insulted and defamed PAS president Tuan Guru Haji Abdul Hadi Awang on 26 February 2015,” the divisions wrote.

They also criticised Penang PKR Youth for its refusal to apologise for allegedly insulting Hadi.

The group was also critical of PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat (pic) for not coming to Hadi’s defence after PKR Youth collectively signed a statement with other PKR leaders in opposition of tabling the hudud bill in Parliament.

“We would also like to express the disappointment of youth at the grassroot level especially in our area, towards PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat that is seen as being ungentlemanly in dealing with this issue when the person being criticised is by our friends is our very own Tuan Guru President,” the statement said.

Over the past week, PAS’ Permatang Pauh division had demanded that PKR apologise for criticising Hadi and for refusing to support their push to implement the Islamic Penal Code in Kelantan.

Despite instructions from PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali to all party divisions in the northern region to support PKR, the Islamist party’s Permatang Pauh division refused to cooperate until two nights ago when they met with top leaders from both parties.

Permatang Pauh PAS on Saturday finally relented and agreed to support PKR’s campaign after a meeting with PKR and PAS national leaders on Friday.

Penang PAS Youth chief Mohd Yusni Mat Piah maintained yesterday, however, that they will not support PKR’s by-election campaign despite the Islamist party’s announcement on Saturday that the spat between the two Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties had been resolved.