Charge against Perlis MB’s son could taint PAS’s ‘clean’ image, analysts say

Azmi Hassan and Mazlan Ali say that PAS, unlike Bersatu, has hitherto not been linked with corruption.

(FMT) – The charge against Perlis menteri besar Shukri Ramli’s son of falsifying claims could deal a blow to PAS’s reputation as a “clean” party, say analysts.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PAS had previously appeared relatively untainted by corruption while in office, unlike other parties whose leaders have faced charges in court.

“Looking at this particular scenario, it’s not just Perikatan Nasional (PN) that will receive the backlash. PAS, as a party known for being ‘clean’, will also bear the brunt,” he told FMT.

“PAS will find it challenging to talk about corruption moving forward.”

Shukri’s son, Syafeeq, was charged in the Kangar sessions court yesterday with falsifying claims of more than RM19,000 for the supply of drinks for the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, in February. He pleaded not guilty.

Azmi, a fellow with the National Council of Professors, suggested that some in PAS should urge Shukri to step down to avoid further embarrassing the party.

Shukri is also the Perlis PAS commissioner and the state’s PN chairman.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia also said that the development might cast a negative light on PAS, as previous corruption cases in PN have often been associated with Bersatu.

However, Mazlan said it would be unfair to force Shukri to step down as menteri besar since the case only involves his son.

“It would be a different story if the menteri besar was the one charged. This (his son being charged) doesn’t affect his duties as menteri besar,” he said.

Some Bersatu members have ongoing corruption cases in court, such as its president Muhyiddin Yassin and Supreme Council member Wan Saiful Wan Jan.