After Umno, PAS' turn to hold mammoth rally

Now that Umno has concluded its biggest ever rally to date, its chief rival PAS believes that it too can play the same game.

The party plans to mobilise some 100,000 members of a rally in Kedah on June 1, in place of its annual general assembly, or muktamar, which have been shelved until November.

According to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, the exercise seeks to “strengthen its election machinery”, instead of a mere show of force.

The announcement comes at the final day of Umno’s 66th anniversary celebration, which reportedly drew 100,000 people - arguably the biggest Umno gathering ever.

The announcement comes at the final day of Umno's 66th anniversary celebration, which reportedly drew 100,000 people - arguably the biggest Umno gathering ever.

PAS vice presient Mahfuz Omar (left) who will be responsible for the rally added that the party too, expects to gather up to 100,000 people.

"But there will be no free buses, participants will need to come on their own," quipped Abdul Hadi.

Meanwhile, Hadi said the party are now studying the its candidate list for the next general election which will be subjected to the approval of the Syura council.

"If there is an overlap with our Pakatan partners, then it will be discussed at another committee stage with Pakatan," he said.

However, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali said that all constituencies have submitted their respective names even if PAS will not be contesting in the area as a contingency plan.

PAS too, rejects Bersih panel

In a separate matter, Hadi joined the fray with DAP and several other civil society groups in rejecting the government's independent panel to investigate the alleged violence during the Bersih 3.0 rally.

"We reject the panel, we see it as incapable of conducting a free and fair investigation, the committee was ultimately appointed by BN leaders, we want a credible panel that can properly carry out its investigation," said Abdul Hadi.

He added that party's problem was not only with controversial former inspector-general of police Hanif Omar (left) who will be leading the panel but also with its other members.

He added that enough statements had been issued, including by the Bar Council and Malaysian Human Right Commission (Suhakam) for the government to get the message over what should be a proper panel.

Meanwhile, PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub announced that the party has translated its welfare state book penned by Abdul Hadi which serves as the basis for the party's manifesto into the English and Malay language.

The books are expected to be launched on May 27 with a Tamil version still in the works.

"This shows the seriousness of PAS to give an understanding towards the concept of a welfare state to people of every race and religion," he said.