PAS and unity government are engaged in discussions, says Fahmi

NIBONG TEBAL: Whether PAS will join the unity government remains unknown, but discussions are being held between the two factions, said Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the Prime Minister and several leaders from the Islamist party had held numerous discussions, indicating negotiations and considerations about PAS joining the unity government.

The government spokesman, however, did not deny or confirm the speculations on the matter.

“There are a lot of discussions between Mentri Besar and MP from PAS,” he said after the nomination process at Dewan Serbaguna Jawi on Saturday (June 22).

Earlier, Fahmi accompanied Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin with the ruling coalition leaders at the nomination centre.

The Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between Joohari and Perikatan Nasional candidate Abidin Ismail.

Of the 39,279 eligible to vote in the by-election, 39,222 are ordinary voters, and 57 are police personnel.

The Election Commission has set July 2 as the early voting date, while July 6 is the polling day for the by-election that needs to be held following the death of the incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

In the Penang state election last August, the late Nor Zamri, also Nibong Tebal PAS president, defeated PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes.