Selangor Pas admits to secret meetings with Umno on crossing over

Selangor Pas admits to secret meetings with Umno on crossing over

Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008,MT

Selangor Pas and Umno leaders held secret meetings immediately after the BN Selangor government fell to the opposition but Pas assemblymen insisted that they never had any intention of deserting the coalition.

MP for Shah Alam Khalid Abd Samad said Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Mohd Hassan Mohd Ali attended a meeting with Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo to pre-empt any attempt by Umno to used foul means to nullify the election.

Selangor Pas had full knowledge of the meetings initiated by Umno and they were encouraged, as a strategy, to prevent those unhappy with the election results from resorting to anything drastic.

“Fears of another May 13 were circulating and discussions were kept going as a ploy, to prevent it from becoming a reality,” Khalid who is Selangor PAS Deputy Commissioner (2) told a press conference today at the Pas Shah Alam branch. Also in attendance were Dr Mohd Hassan and other newly elected Pas assemblymen.

However, Khalid refused to disclose where the meetings were held but said they received the first invitation last Sunday. Pas, he insisted, was always committed to the election pact with DAP and PKR.

Dr Mohd Hassan refused to comment on the topic except to strongly deny allegations over the internet that Pas had considered deserting the coalition.

“There was never our intention and we have remained committed to our coalition partners,” he said.

In the meantime, all elected Pas representatives must openly declared their assets and interest within three months to Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

“PAS Exco members will not be allowed to be involved in any businesses to avoid conflicts of interest,” he said. “Exco members will be required to relinquish their positions and interest in private companies.”

Dr Mohd Hassan said PAS representatives will also be required to contribute 30 per cent of their allowance to help the needy.

PAS has not demanded any Exco positions in Selangor. “We are aware we have the least seats among the coalition so we are waiting for the Menteri Besar to decide,” he said. - NST
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