Hadi : reject all inducements by BN
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 12, 2008
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz

AS has called on elected representatives in the three opposition parties to reject any enticement to cross over to Barisan Nasional. MCPX

Rumours are flying that millions of ringgit have been offered to effect crossovers, particularly in Perak where the opposition parties hold only a three-seat majority over the BN’s 28 in the state legislature.

In particular, the racial card is purportedly being played out among Malay elected representatives in PKR and PAS - including the spectre of racial conflict - as a way to convince them to join Umno.  
hadi awang pas pc 120308 groupAt a press conference today in party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said he wants them to “remain steadfast” and work towards strengthening the opposition-led state governments.

“God-willing, we will walk together to carry out reforms in the administration of all these states to rid them of such negative practices as corruption, cronyism and nepotism which will lead to (other) injustice(s),”he said.

He was flanked by secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaafar and information chief Mahfuz Omar.

Asked if PAS leaders had been approached by Umno leaders to cross over, he replied cryptically: “PAS is me. They have never contacted me.”

In the 12th general election concluded last Saturday, opposition parties wrested control of an unprecedented five state assemblies - Penang, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Kelantan - and DAP, PKR and PAS have worked out varying arrangements for ‘coalition state governments’.

barisan rakyat pas pkr dapAbdul Hadi also said those elected must remember that the votes came from all Malaysians, and should not see themselves as representing only one ethnic or religious group.

“We hope these (racial or religious) issues are not invoked - as BN is currently doing - as it will only make matters worse,” he said.

He further cautioned them against exacting “revenge”.

“Those who lost are our people, just as those who won are our people. Do not exact revenge. We have to demonstrate that we are fair to everyone.”

‘Ask BN leaders’

Asked about speculation that attempts are being made to break up the ‘alternative coalition’, Abdul Hadi said the question should be posed to BN leaders.

“What is important to us is to defend this alliance... we are not artistes to be (the subject of gossip)... The inspector-general of police has stated we should not believe in rumours,” he said.

hadi awang pas pc 120308 talkingOn another issue, Hadi said only his office can issue any statement on any matter relating to the party, and that other comments or statements should be deemed as “unofficial”.

“Only I am tasked with issuing the official statements relating to the party until further notice,” he said, without elaborating.

A source close to Abdul Hadi later explained that this was a general statement that was not aimed at any particular leader.

“Many party leaders have recently issued comments. He just meant to clarify matters to ensure that such comments were not mistaken as being the official line,” said the source.   

Opposition parties also took 82 of the 222 parliamentary seats, its biggest gain in electoral history. PKR holds 31 seats to DAP’s 28 and PAS’ 23.

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Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79724