Why is PH rattled by PAS’s support for BN, asks Asyraf

PETALING JAYA: Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has asked why Pakatan Harapan leaders are criticising PAS for instructing its members and supporters to vote for Barisan Nasional candidates in seats where Perikatan Nasional is not contesting in the Johor state election.

“Why are the leaders of the PH parties so upset and having a meltdown? Umno-BN welcomes the support and directive from the PAS leadership to their supporters to vote for BN candidates in Johor,” Asyraf said in a brief Facebook post today.

His remarks come after PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man urged the party’s members and supporters to back BN candidates in seats not contested by PN in the July 11 polls.

Johor PH chairman Aminolhuda Hassan subsequently criticised PAS for “lacking principles”, saying the directive contradicted the party’s earlier narrative where it criticised the federal unity government’s cooperation between Umno and DAP.

Aminolhuda said it showed PAS was willing to abandon a stance it had previously used to attack its political rivals.

The issue gained more attention after two Batu Pahat PAS division committee members – Misran Samian and Hazrin Abdul Hamid – attended a BN event in a show of support.

Johor BN chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi described their presence as “surprising and touching”, saying BN welcomed their support.