PAS has denied a viral social media post claiming that the party had instructed its members to support and vote for UMNO-Barisan Nasional (BN), MCA and MIC candidates in the upcoming Negeri Sembilan state election (PRN).
In a brief statement on Facebook on Thursday, the PAS Central Information Department said the party had never issued such a directive or statement.
“PAS denies the false post that is currently being circulated on social media,” it said.
The fake statement, dated 22 July and purportedly issued by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, continued to circulate online despite the existence of electoral cooperation between PAS and BN in the Negeri Sembilan polls.
Earlier, PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah confirmed that the understanding reached between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) for the state election was aimed at wresting control of Negeri Sembilan from the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said the arrangement was designed to maximise the opposition’s chances of defeating PH, stressing that the cooperation was purely an electoral understanding and not a formal political alliance.
On 16 July, PN announced that it would contest 11 state seats in the Negeri Sembilan election, which is scheduled to be held on 1 August.
The announcement was made by PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar during the coalition’s candidate announcement ceremony in Seremban.
Of the 11 seats, PAS will contest five, Parti Wawasan Rakyat (Wawasan) four, Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) one and Parti Rakyat India Malaysia (MIPP) one.
Earlier, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the coalition had finalised the allocation of seats not contested by BN, with BN fielding candidates in 25 state constituencies.
