NO one is out to topple Dr Mahathir Mohamad as he has already indicated he will step down in due time, said Mahfuz Omar.

“What’s the point of bringing him down when he has already said he will pass the mantle to Anwar Ibrahim?” said the Amanah vice-president during a ceramah in Kantan Permai, Semenyih, last night.

“This suggestion by PAS is nothing more than a ruse to divert attention from themselves for taking money from Umno,” said the deputy human resource minister.

Mahfuz was responding to claims by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan that PAS would back the prime minister in the event of a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament.

“We know the parliament session is starting soon (March 11) and our suspicions of in-fighting grew. We politicians sense such things.

“Our president felt the same and we asked to meet Dr Mahathir,” said Takiyuddin, the Kota Baru MP on Sunday after Dr Mahathir said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had promised to withdraw his party’s support for Barisan Nasional in the Semenyih by-election.

Takiyuddin’s claim sparked a new round of rumours that there is an attempt to remove the 93-year-old via a no-confidence motion.

“But there is no in-fighting in Pakatan Harapan other than those made up by PAS,” Mahfuz told a small crowd of 80 during the Semenyih by-election ceramah.

Mahfuz asked the crowd who was more believable – Dr Mahathir or Takiyuddin.

“PAS has not denied what Dr Mahathir has said yet. 

“All they have said is they will meet to discuss the issue. If Dr Mahathir is wrong, they should challenge him,” said the former PAS leader.

Mahfuz also questioned PAS’ double speak.

“Takiyuddin said PAS support for Umno in Semenyih will be lower than the backing given in Cameron Highlands. So, what does this mean? Are they helping Umno or not?” asked Mahfuz.

Bersatu candidate Muhammad Aiman Zainali also made a brief appearance at the ceramah.

“I know the issues here are related to muggings, crime and infrastructure issues. Voting Pakatan here will ensure easier access to councillors who can solve these issues for you,” said the 30-year-old electrical engineering graduate.

Others present at the ceramah include Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Deputy Finance Minister Amiruddin Hamzah.

In the last elections, PH snared the 79% Malay voting station of Kantan Permai with 55% of the vote against Umno, PAS and PSM. 

Prior to the 2018 re-delineation exercise, Kantan Permai was under the Kajang state constituency. It is the biggest voting station among 23 in Semenyih with 5,648 voters.

It is also one of the two voting stations, PAS managed to win more than 1,000 votes (1,026). The other station was Bukit Mahkota (1,272). – February 20, 2019.