PAS meet kicks off with pro-Palestine rally

SHAH ALAM: The 69th PAS muktamar (general assembly) began with a rally in support of Palestine, with the party’s big names involved.

The rally, near the IDCC Convention Centre here on Friday (Oct 20), saw the call of Takbir followed by prayers with party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang in attendance.

The march for peace in the Middle East was led by Jerteh assemblyman Riduan Mohamad followed by seven members of Jabatan Amal, a division under the PAS Youth wing.

Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had said earlier that the convention would be in solidarity with the struggle to free Palestine.

The opening ceremony also saw former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in attendance for the first time following his appointment as adviser to Perikatan Nasional’s SG4 (four state governments).

Also present were Perikatan Nasional leaders including Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau. Also present was Putra vice president Datuk Asmawar Samad, whose party supports Perikatan.

About 5,000 attendees including PAS delegates and observers attended the opening ceremony for the assembly, which will end this Sunday (Oct 22).

A steady stream of supporters with their families, mostly wearing white, was seen gathering outside the hall to listen to Abdul Hadi’s opening speech.

Unlike previous assemblies, the seating arrangement by gender was less restrictive this year.