KOTA KINABALU: In its effort to make its presence felt in Sabah in the coming general election, PAS is planning to set up five more divisions in state soon.
President Abdul Hadi Awang, who is here on a two-day visit, claimed that PAS’ political clout is growing in Sabah.
He said the party now had more than 11,000 registered members in eight existing divisions throughout the state.
“We will be launching at least five more divisions soon,” he told a news conference at the party’s newly opened Putatan Division office here.
Hadi, who met with party members in Kota Belud, also commented on the arrest of seven people who were wearing yellow t-shirts during breakfast at a coffeeshop here last Saturday.
“The BN is panicking and this shows that they are not able to handle issues affecting the country. We are supposed to be a democratic civilised nation and need reformation.
“A good government should not be scared to face challenges or accept the people’s complaints.
“BN should not be scared if they think they are not wrong, only the wrong will feel threatened.
“But if they are wrong, they should do the right thing just like any responsible government would do,” he said.
The seven people were relased on police bail the same day.
They are being investigated under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act for categorically expressing support for the rally and conspiring to instigate.
They are also being investigated under Section 108 of the Penal Code for abetting.
Positive reforms
It was reported that among those detained were PKR Youth exco-member Dr Natassia Sarah and former Sabah PKR chief Ansari Abdullah’s son, Mohd Ezral.
Hadi said that the July 9 Bersih 2.0 gathering is a peaceful rally which is initiated by Malaysians concerned about the issues affecting the country, including its political scenario.
“The Bersih rally involves non-governmental organisation, non-political bodies, they are just concern over issues in the country, including politics.
“Bersih is pushing for positive political reformation, to build good democracy and to see that the opposition’s, as well as the people’s, call for a more just and transparent democracy system in the nation is met.
“Democracy is not just about polling, it is about having clean electoral, media coverage for all to get the views and information from both opposition and government parties, the caretaker of the government, Election Commission, money politics and abuse of power.
“All these need to be addressed and find the best solution to overcome it,” he said.
Touching on money politics, he said some Umno leaders have disclosed that it is also happens during the party’s election.
“So it is not just during elections that the Umno is giving out money to the needy, but also during their own meetings,” said Hadi.-FMT
