Hadi’s supporters not like Umno ‘macais’, PAS Youth delegate says

SHAH ALAM, June 3 — A Kelantan PAS Youth delegate today chided his wing’s chief for comparing supporters of party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to those behind political foe Umno’s chief Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

While debating the Youth chief’s address at its annual meet here, Nor Azariza Mohd Alawi demanded Suhaizan Kaiat amend his remark, which he deemed improper.

“I am a little upset with the Youth chief for saying that PAS members show of support for the president (Abdul Hadi) is similar to the show of support by Umno macais (errand boys/girls) towards Najib.

“I hope he corrects his statement… don’t liken Abdul Hadi to Najib. We support Abdul Hadi because he fights for Islam. As long as he (Abdul Hadi) does not contradict himself on such matters, we will still support him,” Nor Azariza said to loud cheers from the floor.

Suhaizan had criticised PAS members for their blind support of Abdul Hadi, likening their actions to supporters of Najib.

This drew the ire of several delegates, who took to criticising Suhaizan, viewed as a more progressive member in their party over his remark, in their speech.

In March, after the financial scandals revolving around debt-laden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was making headlines, with Najib coming under harsh criticism from his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Umno division leaders gathered in a show of solidarity with Najib.

However, Dr Mahathir and other veteran and respected Umno leaders such as Tun Daim Zainuddin and Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib have laughed off the display of support received by Najib, saying they were likely pretentious and done out of self-interests.

Abdul Hadi meanwhile is currently under heavy criticism from his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ally, DAP, over his insistence to implement hudud in Kelantan.

The situation led to deepening divisions between PAS, DAP and PKR, who accused the Islamist party and Abdul Hadi, in particular, of acting unilaterally despite having initially agreed to discuss the hudud issue further.

With DAP and PKR officially against PAS’ push for hudud, the latter party will need the support of arch-rivals Umno to see through Abdul Hadi’s private member bills on hudud, if they are allowed to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.