JASIN, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The change in the PAS stand that it purportedly emphasizes on the struggles for the Malay cause is a tactic to gain votes in the by-elections for the Merlimau state seat in Melaka the Kerdau state seat in Pahang on March 6.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said if it were true that PAS gave priority to the Malay struggles, he challenged the party to voice the needs of the Malays in Penang as well as in the other states under the opposition pact administration.
"I am convinced that this is the objective (of PAS spiritual leader Datuk) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) to gain support in the by-elections," he told reporters after a meeting with members of the Melaka Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) members in Merlimau, near here, Sunday.
Yesterday, in his speech when opening a function at the Shah Alam City Council Auditorium, Nik Aziz said the struggles for the Malay cause must be given priority in view of its status as the indigenous race in the country.
Mohd Shafie, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the PAS stand and approach could change and they were not only using the religion but also the race for their political gain.
"This is nothing new, today he remembers, tomorrow he forgets (his pledges), so we should not be easily duped by the promises that are not fulfilled," he said.
He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) was consistent in the struggles to improve the welfare of all races regardless of where they lived in the country.
The BN candidate for the Kerdau by-election will be announced on Feb 22 while the candidate for Merlimau would be announced the following day.
The Kerdau state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Assemblyman Datuk Zaharuddin Abu Kassim, 63, from the BN on Feb 12.
Meanwhile, the vacancy for the Merlimau state seat was due to the death of the incumbent Assemblyman, Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan, 54, on Jan 20.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said if it were true that PAS gave priority to the Malay struggles, he challenged the party to voice the needs of the Malays in Penang as well as in the other states under the opposition pact administration.
"I am convinced that this is the objective (of PAS spiritual leader Datuk) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) to gain support in the by-elections," he told reporters after a meeting with members of the Melaka Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) members in Merlimau, near here, Sunday.
Yesterday, in his speech when opening a function at the Shah Alam City Council Auditorium, Nik Aziz said the struggles for the Malay cause must be given priority in view of its status as the indigenous race in the country.
Mohd Shafie, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the PAS stand and approach could change and they were not only using the religion but also the race for their political gain.
"This is nothing new, today he remembers, tomorrow he forgets (his pledges), so we should not be easily duped by the promises that are not fulfilled," he said.
He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) was consistent in the struggles to improve the welfare of all races regardless of where they lived in the country.
The BN candidate for the Kerdau by-election will be announced on Feb 22 while the candidate for Merlimau would be announced the following day.
The Kerdau state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Assemblyman Datuk Zaharuddin Abu Kassim, 63, from the BN on Feb 12.
Meanwhile, the vacancy for the Merlimau state seat was due to the death of the incumbent Assemblyman, Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan, 54, on Jan 20.
-- BERNAMA