PAS supporters stage anti-PKR demo, demands apology

Even though the top Pakatan leaders have declared that problems within the coalition in Permatang Pauh have been solved, PAS grassroots think otherwise.

A crowd, numbering around 20, expressed this at a rally demanding PKR to apologise for the statement made by PKR Youth.

The PKR Youth statement had alleged PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was involved in a plot to form a unity government with Umno over the hudud issue.

The gathering is organised by PAS Bagan division from Kampung Pertama.

Apart from calling for an apology, the 15-minute rally also called on PKR to state its support for Hadi's private member's bill in Parliament.

The gathering which kicked off at 2.15pm in front of the Kampung Pertama Mosque also targets DAP for its criticism of hudud.

The protesters carried placards which say, 'DAP don't be rude', 'Hudud is Allah's law', and 'We support Tok Guru President'.

They also chanted 'Long Live PAS' and 'Down with PKR'.

Apart from calling for an apology, the 15-minute rally also called on PKR to state its support for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's private member's bill in Parliament.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, PAS Bagan division info chief Azmi Jaafar said PAS members will stage a "silent protest" and boycott the polls on May 7.

He said PAS members at the grassroots level are still not satisfied with PKR, which has yet to make a public apology.

"Today's gathering is to show our protest against those who insult our leaders. We hope DAP and PKR will apologise and not just talk," he added.

Today's rally demand runs counter to the statement by Penang PAS Youth on Wednesday.

The wing had said it will abide by the central leadership's directive to help PKR campaign in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

The call to boycott the Permatang Pauh polls is not new.

PAS' Penang Youth had stated earlier that it will stay away from the polls unless its PKR counterpart says sorry for insulting Hadi.