Permatang Pauh : Abdul Hadi Awang Calls To Vote For Anwar

Source : Malaysiakini

Any differences on who will become the next prime minister should Pakatan Rakyat form federal government were put aside last night as PAS supporters turned out in full force to back "their" candidate.

MCPX

At Taman Guar Perahu, which is 99 percent Malay voters, party president Abdul Hadi Awang and spiritual healer Dr Haron Din allayed rumours of a PAS pullout by urging the crowd to support "our warrior".

In this particular part of Penanti - one of the three state constituencies in Permatang Pauh - some 4,000 people braved the light drizzle to listen to PAS top guns.

Though Hadi's ceramah only lasted 10 minutes, his final words should be enough for anyone doubting PAS’ commitment to PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim's campaign.

"I urge Permatang Pauh voters to once again give your votes to PKR and let Anwar return to Parliament. And if there is a chance to lead this country as well," said Hadi.

It put to rest, for the moment, his own ambitions to helm the nation.

Before that, he touched on issues of governance and why Barisan Nasional, in particular Umno, should be rejected.

Later, it was announced that Hadi was not feeling well and hence the short but no less crucial message.

Sodomy allegation

Meanwhile, Haron's ceramah also helped kill off lingering doubts Malay voters may have regarding the sodomy allegation against Anwar.

"These people are using Islam when it suits them," said the 68-year-old religious scholar-turned-politician.

"When they made accusations, they go to the mosque, hold the Quran and swear in God's name. But what about the other part of Islam requirements?" he asked.

"If they want to use syariah to swear that the crime did take place, he (accuser Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan) should also present four credible witnesses."

Under Islamic law, accusations must be backed by four credible witnesses otherwise the accuser is guilty of qazaf (false accusations).

So far, the Umno campaign has revolved around the sodomy allegation and Anwar’s ‘betrayal’ of the Malay cause.

Haron's defence just two days before polling is the best that PKR could wish for to help satisfy questions on why Anwar has not taken an oath to deny the allegation.

Umno will no doubt crank up the pressure over the next 48 hours with around-the-clock public screening of Saiful's swearing.

But for the PAS faithful, Haron and Hadi are enough to combat BN's more high-tech campaign.