The Malaysian Insight

IT is highly unlikely that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad made up his remarks about PAS agreeing not to back Barisan Nasional in the Semenyih by-election, said Muhyiddin Yassin. 

The Bersatu president said although he does not know what transpired in the meeting between PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and the prime minister on Friday, he said the statement must be true as Dr Mahathir is not one to make up stories. 

“I’m sure Dr Mahathir’s statement was not fabricated. It’s not like he does not understand Bahasa. I’m sure the statement was correct.

“When such circumstances arise, PAS is trapped. When they are trapped, the normal thing for them to do is lie,” he told reporters in Beranang, Semenyih, today after a walkabout at a night market.

Last week, Dr Mahathir had said PAS had agreed not to back BN in the Semenyih by-election following a meeting between himself and Abdul Hadi in Putrajaya. 

PAS secretary Takiyuddin Hassan issued a statement yesterday saying PAS will still support BN, but on a smaller scale compared with the Cameron Highlands by-election. 

After a meeting with Umno at the Barisan Nasional operations room in Semenyih last night, Takiyuddin had revealed that PAS had promised to support Dr Mahathir in the event of a no-confidence vote in Parliament against the prime minister, but added it would stop short of backing PH in the Semenyih by-election. 

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng had also earlier said today that no one in PH was pushing for a motion of no confidence against Dr Mahathir.

Muhyiddin, however, said trustworthiness was not PAS strong suit. 

“When matters are raised, PAS feels trapped, and when they feel trapped, they lie. They deny it. 

“If they say they won’t support Umno in Semenyih like they did in Cameron Highlands, it means they will not support it. Or maybe just a little. I don’t understand,” added Muhyiddin. – February 18, 2019.