PAS zips party members’ lips on ‘dedak cartel’ expose
PUCHONG: Reeling from the “dedak cartel’ expose, PAS has issued a gag order barring its members from raising the issue in the media and social media.
PAS secretary general Takiyuddin Hassan warned that those who fail to comply with the directive would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.
“Any views, suggestions and even criticism must go through party channels. This is to facilitate freedom of speech and maintain confidentiality within the party,” said Takiyuddin in a statement.
Recently, Zaharudin Muhammad, the son-in-law of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, spoke on the existence of a “dedak” or bribes cartel within the party.
In a Facebook post, Zaharudin raised the issue of an audio recording involving Bachok MP Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz talking about allegations that Umno was funding PAS.
In the recording, a man can be heard admitting that PAS leaders have received funds from Umno.
Initially, Nik Abduh denied being the person speaking in the audio recording but came clean in February, claiming that Hadi had instructed him to make the denial.
On Sunday, Zaharudin claimed that Hadi had given him the go-ahead to expose the existence of the “dedak cartel”.
However, the PAS strongman had denied giving such instructions, adding that the top leadership had received a report on Zaharudin’s alleged breach of party discipline and that the latter would be referred to PAS’ disciplinary committee.
PAS had since ordered Zaharudin to explain his allegation. He also claimed that critics had tried to persuade Hadi to get him to withdraw his claims.
By: G. Vinod
