Umno has been warned that it would be "digging its own grave'' by resorting to slander and dirty tactics in attacking Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in the run up to the Manek Urai by-election.
PAS' newly appointed party information chief Idris Ahmad (left) said Umno and Barisan Nasional should stop such tactics unless they are not bothered about getting hit back.
"I noticed that Umno and BN have started their attacks on Nik Aziz's leadership in the run-up to the Manek Urai by-election. They are also using their party-owned media like Utusan Malaysia to do their dirty work.
"The PAS spiritual leader is very much revered by the people of Kelantan and such a move would be a big mistake. They (Umno and BN) are quickly digging their own grave if they make personal attacks on Tok Guru," he told Malaysiakini today.
Idris said the people of Kelantan had always felt that they were continuously being persecuted by Umno and BN. PAS has been governing Kelantan for almost two decades.
He warned that such 'continued persecution' by the BN-led federal government would lead to further animosity among the Kelantanese people.
"This would certainly be easily translated into votes for PAS in the by-election," said Idris.
Yesterday, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had expressed his confidence that PAS would retain the Manek Urai seat in the by-election despite an active smear campaign against Nik Aziz.
The Manek Urai nomination day is on July 6, while polling is slated for July 14. The seat fell vacant following the death of five term assemblyperson Ismail Yaacob, who is affectionately known as "Pak Su Weil"on May 23.
PAS has named Kuala Krai treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, while Umno has announced the division Kuala Krai division youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat as its candidate. Parti Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) has also relayed its intentions to contest.
Manek Urai has been a stronghold for PAS as it only fell to Umno and BN twice, after 12 general elections.
Umno is confident of winning the seat this time around but certain PAS quarters have claimed that such a confidence was based on Umno's ability to buy off voters.
MACC must probe vote-buying
Touching on this, Idris urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate into claims that Umno was offering RM300 each to the Manek Urai constituents not to come-out and vote.
"If there is any truth to such allegations, it should be investigated by MACC. The MACC should also make their presence felt to ensure a free and corrupt free election," he said.
Idris also said that PAS' election machinery was gearing up for the by-election and was ready to face the BN and Umno onslought.
"Kelantan PAS election machinery has been up and running with the support of party workers from other states," he said.
"God-willing, PAS will retain the seat despite all the expected antics put up by Umno and BN," he added.
Give us the oil royalty
On another matter, Idris also said that the oil royalty issue would be a major talking point during the campaign for the by-election.
He was referrring to Kelantan government's demand for oil royalty as was highlighted by senior state exco member Husam Musa last week.
"When Terengganu was under PAS rule, it was also denied royalty. So this is something which the people have seen with their own eyes, as to what the federal government had done," said Idris.
The Kelantan government has said that it was entitled to oil royalty amounting to RM1 billion from the federal government based on its oil production since 2004.
Yesterday, state Umno leader Alwi Che Ahmad had urged the state government to initiate proper negotiations with the federal government over its claim of oil and gas royalty instead of merely harping about it in ceramah.
Malaysiakini
30/06/09
PAS' newly appointed party information chief Idris Ahmad (left) said Umno and Barisan Nasional should stop such tactics unless they are not bothered about getting hit back.
"I noticed that Umno and BN have started their attacks on Nik Aziz's leadership in the run-up to the Manek Urai by-election. They are also using their party-owned media like Utusan Malaysia to do their dirty work.
"The PAS spiritual leader is very much revered by the people of Kelantan and such a move would be a big mistake. They (Umno and BN) are quickly digging their own grave if they make personal attacks on Tok Guru," he told Malaysiakini today.
Idris said the people of Kelantan had always felt that they were continuously being persecuted by Umno and BN. PAS has been governing Kelantan for almost two decades.
He warned that such 'continued persecution' by the BN-led federal government would lead to further animosity among the Kelantanese people.
"This would certainly be easily translated into votes for PAS in the by-election," said Idris.
Yesterday, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had expressed his confidence that PAS would retain the Manek Urai seat in the by-election despite an active smear campaign against Nik Aziz.
The Manek Urai nomination day is on July 6, while polling is slated for July 14. The seat fell vacant following the death of five term assemblyperson Ismail Yaacob, who is affectionately known as "Pak Su Weil"on May 23.
PAS has named Kuala Krai treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, while Umno has announced the division Kuala Krai division youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat as its candidate. Parti Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) has also relayed its intentions to contest.
Manek Urai has been a stronghold for PAS as it only fell to Umno and BN twice, after 12 general elections.
Umno is confident of winning the seat this time around but certain PAS quarters have claimed that such a confidence was based on Umno's ability to buy off voters.
MACC must probe vote-buying
Touching on this, Idris urged the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate into claims that Umno was offering RM300 each to the Manek Urai constituents not to come-out and vote.
"If there is any truth to such allegations, it should be investigated by MACC. The MACC should also make their presence felt to ensure a free and corrupt free election," he said.
Idris also said that PAS' election machinery was gearing up for the by-election and was ready to face the BN and Umno onslought.
"Kelantan PAS election machinery has been up and running with the support of party workers from other states," he said.
"God-willing, PAS will retain the seat despite all the expected antics put up by Umno and BN," he added.
Give us the oil royalty
On another matter, Idris also said that the oil royalty issue would be a major talking point during the campaign for the by-election.
He was referrring to Kelantan government's demand for oil royalty as was highlighted by senior state exco member Husam Musa last week.
"When Terengganu was under PAS rule, it was also denied royalty. So this is something which the people have seen with their own eyes, as to what the federal government had done," said Idris.
The Kelantan government has said that it was entitled to oil royalty amounting to RM1 billion from the federal government based on its oil production since 2004.
Yesterday, state Umno leader Alwi Che Ahmad had urged the state government to initiate proper negotiations with the federal government over its claim of oil and gas royalty instead of merely harping about it in ceramah.
Malaysiakini
30/06/09
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