Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob seems to be alone in squaring off with PAS following a spate of allegations from the opposition party against the state leadership, according to a veteran state Umno leader today.

He told malaysiakini that this image of Adnan as a "lone ranger" was not doing Umno Pahang any good at all as it could also imply that the party is seriously split in the state.

"Adnan is fighting this war (against the opposition) alone, although several allegations were made against both the party and the state government. Everyone should stand by him to face the opposition's onslaught," he stressed.

PAS has labelled Pahang as the state of "Darul Kasino" after the government issued slot machines licences to the Bukit Tinggi Resort. Following strong protests by PAS, the company had since closed the gaming centre.

The most recent campaign against Umno was the distribution of VCDs containing PAS' allegation that several top Umno Pahang leaders were involved in a logging scandal .

The logging scam, highlighted in July and August by malaysiakini centred around a 10,000-acre plot of land - about 40 sq km in size - near Pekan.

It was awarded to Umno Pahang in 1998 by the state government led by then Pahang Menteri Besar and Umno state chief Khalil Yaacob, ostensibly for oil palm plantation.

Own political survival

"Unfortunately, only Adnan is seen to be defending the fort so far, while the others merely sit on the sideline, probably more concerned about securing their party posts," said the veteran leader, who declined to be identified.

"What is the state Umno information bureau doing to counter those allegations?" he asked.

He added that it would be very unfortunate if other Umno leaders are more occupied with their own political survival when they should be rallying behind Adnan now to face the opposition in view of the coming general election.

PAS made an impressive inroad into Pahang in the 1999 general election after the party won six state seats - Semantan, Kuala Pahang, Tahan, Jengka, Guai and Penur.

"This is an opportune time for the state Umno leaders to put their act together and question the PAS assemblymen on their contributions in their respective constituencies since the 1999 general election," said the leader.

"They made a lot of promises during the election campaign which they have yet to fulfill. Umno should fully exploit such issues," he added.