PAS opening 5 more divisions in Sabah

Kota Kinabalu: PAS is strengthening its influence in Sabah with more divisions in the process of being opened.

Its President, Abdul Hadi Awang, said the party now has eight divisions in the State and 11,000 registered members and is in the process of opening five more divisions.

He was speaking to reporters after he officiated at the opening of the Putatan PAS division in a ceremony held at Asia City, here, Monday.

He also said that the party has directed its members in Sabah to wait for developments related to the Bersih rally in the peninsula before taking the next course of action.

"PAS members here will do according to what is suitable with the situation in Sabah," he said.

On the arrests of seven people including two PAS members for suspected involvement in Bersih in Sabah last Saturday, Abdul Hadi said it just shows kegelabahan (panic) in the Barisan Nasional (BN) which he described as not very wise when dealing with an issue at hand.

"We see other civilised democratic countries have already undertaken much political reforms as the ruling party is not afraid of dealing with issues which became subjects of protest from the people," he said.

On the alleged involvement of PAS and other opposition parties in Bersih, he said the movement actually involved non-governmental organisations, groups and individuals, not any political movement, which are concerned over issues affecting the country which included political issues.

Bersih demanded positive political reformation in the country, he said, adding that the party is only supporting the Bersih movement and not as part of the organisers.

Abdul Hadi also welcomed the Agong's advice to rally organisers to rethink their plan and for the Government to act with justice and wisdom. He urged an investigation on criticisms about the country's electoral system, saying all parties must face the realities about the system's weaknesses with an open heart.

"This is in line with Tuanku's decree that the Government should carry out their responsibility entrusted to it by the people in a just and wise manner.

The protest is mooted because there are too many weaknesses in Malaysia's electoral practice, tainted by cheating, corruption, power abuse and an undemocratic media," he said, adding election abuses had increased recently.

He said there was also continued confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the rally planned for July 9, due to the traditional media's campaign against the event.

"Such a misunderstanding has led to provocations by several parties to give the impression that the situation is out of control to the extent that the country's law is no longer respected by the authorities," he said.

Sabah PAS Commissioner Mohd Aminuddin Aling was among those present.

http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=78479