PAS bans members from ‘red shirt’ rally, says deputy president
The Malaysian Insider – 1 hour 18 minutes agorint
PAS has ordered its members not to take part in Wednesday's "red shirt" rally as it is planned along racial lines, the Islamist party's deputy president said.
Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man regretted the fact that PAS flags were being distributed as though the Islamist party was supporting the rally, which he said will weaken national unity.
"We are disappointed with the actions of certain irresponsible groups that are distributing our flags and party symbol in trying to link PAS to the September 16 gathering.
"We wish to reiterate that we are not involved and forbid our members from participating," he said.
Tuan Ibrahim said furthermore, the rally will dent Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's image, as the rally is being organised by former Malacca chief minister Tan Sri Ali Rustam, who is a senior Umno leader.
"The rally which is planned along racial lines will not help the country in any way, but will instead weaken national unity as well as dent Najib's image because it is being spearheaded by a top person in Umno like Ali," Tuan Ibrahim said in a statement.
The “red shirt” rally is being held to counter last month's Bersih 4 rally, which had called for Najib's resignation over alleged financial scandals.
The gathering is also being held to express anger over footage of Bersih 4 participants stomping on pictures of Najib and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Umno headquarters is understood to have issued a notice to its divisions to mobilise members to attend the “red shirt” rally on September 16, despite official statements that the Malay party has not endorsed the controversial gathering. – September 14, 2015.
