Penang PAS has intensified its criticism of state Perikatan Nasional chief Dominic Lau’s alleged lack of leadership, accusing the Gerakan president of not properly engaging the coalition’s 11 assemblymen.
“The PN chief does not care about any PAS or Bersatu assemblyman in Penang,” Hafis Alias, a delegate from the state chapter, said at the PAS muktamar here today.
Hafis said Lau’s alleged lack of engagement was akin to rubbing salt in the wound, pointing out that PAS was forced to give up the Bayan Lepas seat – a Malay-majority constituency – in the 2023 Penang state election. PAS had been contesting the seat since 2008.
Lau lost the seat after managing only 13,573 votes to the 15,462 votes garnered by Pakatan Harapan’s Azrul Mahathir Aziz.
Hafis said in light of Lau’s loss, PAS should demand that only Malay candidates were fielded in all 15 Malay-majority constituencies.
He also praised the Penang PAS supporters’ wing for not demanding to contest in such seats.
“Our DHPP candidates are more gentlemanly than Gerakan. These non-Muslim PAS supporters are also more courageous than Gerakan,” he said, noting their willingness to contest in non-Malay-majority seats.
Hafis’ criticism of Lau comes days after a PAS ulama delegate questioned the Gerakan president’s ability to serve as Penang PN chairman.
Penang PAS ulama election committee head Shafirul Rozani compared the opposition in the state to a Ferrari that could not be driven anywhere as the “steering wheel is in the hands of another person”, and called for Lau to be replaced.
Earlier today, Lau hit back at his critics, saying Gerakan was actively serving as a check and balance to the DAP-led state government, despite not holding a seat in the state assembly.
