PAS: We made right choice in picking Abidin for Sg Bakap

SG BAKAP BY-ELECTION | Despite criticism over its choice of candidate, Penang PAS has insisted that it did not make the wrong move in fielding Abidin Ismail.

State PAS commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff said multiple steps were involved before Abidin (above) was selected including a special on-the-ground study.

“We received a list of nominations from various levels after the state PAS chapter did a screening. The shortlist was sent to the central leadership which then deployed a team to do a study here.

“From that study, we found that people in Sungai Bakap wanted a representative they could support. That’s why Abidin is the best candidate chosen based on the study.

“They want a representative who stands by the people and tackles the problems they face,” he said at a prayer programme in Sungai Kechil, Nibong Tebal, last night.

‘We are satisfied’

Fauzi, who is also Sungai Dua assemblyperson, said this when asked if Perikatan Nasional chose the wrong candidate as opponents criticised Abidin throughout the campaign.

Abidin previously received flak after it was announced that he had an ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certificate, but he later explained it was an error.

There were also questions about his academic credentials, which were not highlighted in his introduction as a candidate.

Fauzi said his party has so far been satisfied with Abidin and the PN machinery’s campaign, receiving a good response from voters.

There appeared to be a new dawn for PN, he said, with the coalition receiving an encouraging response from the non-Malay communities.

“He (Abidin) went to programmes to meet all segments of voters. The community is happy to welcome him, and we don’t even need to introduce him again.

“So far we are satisfied and the response is very encouraging. We did not even expect the Chinese and Indian community to accept him well. This is a new landscape.

“This may mean that the non-Muslim community’s fear of PAS or PN has started to decrease. This is a positive sign and we hope that this wave of people in Sungai Bakap will bring good developments nationwide,” he explained.

Abidin faces rival Pakatan Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin in polls set for July 6.

The Sungai Bakap by-election is being held after the death of PAS incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24.

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