KUALA KRAI: PAS has taken up Kelantan Umno’s “invitation” to hold a ceramah (public address) to prove that all is well within the Opposition party and with its alliance partners.
PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa and spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat will speak at the Laloh wet market, PAS national election director Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah said on Thursday.
“The deputy president’s presence will put to rest allegations by Umno that there is a rift between Nasharuddin and Nik Aziz, and will go to show that PAS is united in the stand against Umno,” he said in a telephone interview.
On Wednesday, Kelantan Umno issued a challenge to the two leaders to speak in public and prove that all is well between them.
Talk of a rift surfaced after the two had clashed over the so-called “unity talks” with Umno that Nasharuddin had promoted last month.
Nasharudin will only hit the Manek Urai campaign trail this weekend, after he recovers from a minor surgical procedure he underwent at the Serdang Hospital on Thursday.
The Bachok Member of Parliament is determined to participate in the campaign to ensure PAS retains the state seat, sources said.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said Nasharudin had to delay his trip to Manek Urai because of medical problem, not because of political squabbles.
“Nasharudin told me he will be in Manek Urai by Friday or Saturday after going for a medical check up.
“As I heard he is undergoing minor surgery, it may take him a while longer to recover,” he said.
The Manek Urai seat fell vacant following the death of assemblyman Ismail Yaacob on May 22.
Polling day is fixed on July 14.
The by-election will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional’s Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat and PAS’ Mohd Fauzi Abdullah.
