KUALA LUMPUR – The verbal war between Gerakan and PAS over the issue of sponsorship from an alcoholic beverage company to a Chinese school is merely “an act”, claims Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
The Umno Supreme Council member said that the recent statement by Gerakan leaders that the party would not hesitate to sever ties and leave Perikatan Nasional (PN) if disagreements over the Chinese school funding controversy persist will not happen.
He said that Gerakan is well aware that PAS’ outrage over the issue and its dissatisfaction with Gerakan for supporting donations from alcohol companies is merely a tactic to gain power.
“The movement will not leave PN. PAS and Gerakan are both posturing. Gerakan understands that PAS is only acting on the alcohol issue to gain power.”
“Gerakan is not leaving PN. Both PAS and Gerakan are putting on a show. Gerakan understands that PAS is merely acting to gain power.
“Believe me, once PAS gains power, the party will just follow Gerakan’s stance on alcohol,’ he said in a Facebook post.
“Gerakan can only make threats; it’s a small party with limited influence. They’re just making ‘noise’. They wouldn’t dare leave PN, as they have no other place to ‘beg’,” he added.
Previously, PAS MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the party might not be able to work with Gerakan in the next general election if the latter maintains its position on alcohol companies and Chinese schools.
He added that Gerakan’s official stance on the issue of donations to schools from alcohol proceeds is very disappointing.
“If this is what Gerakan consistently highlights, it is not impossible that we will not be able to be in a political alliance in the next general election,” he said.
He said this in response to Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau’s stand that the Education Ministry should not restrict fundraising activities by certain companies in schools if the government does not allocate sufficient funds to all streams of schools. – July 30, 2024