PETRON’S appointment as a fuel provider for government vehicles reminds Malaysians of nepotism, said Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The PAS deputy president said such appointments should not be allowed under the new Pakatan Harapan administration.

“It reminds the people of the nepotism that took place in the past. This should not be happening again, especially under the PH administration. This issue (Petron) is associated with (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s son,” he told reporters at the sidelines of the Unity in Diversity lunch in Ampang today.

It was reported that Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing Bhd had been appointed as one of three fuel suppliers to the government. The other two are Petronas Bhd and Shell Trading Sdn Bhd.

The Finance Ministry said the appointment was to give the government more choices.

Petron is linked to Dr Mahathir’s son, Mirzan, who is a shareholder and director in its parent company, Petron Corporation, based in the Philippines.

In 2013, Petron Malaysia said Mirzan did not have any shares nor a role in country operations.

“How many shares does he have in Petron? Because Petron has denied that Mirzan has any. We have to study this,” said Tuan Ibrahim.

“I am confident he still has some, because he was the one who brought the company into Malaysia.”

On the possibility that PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim would return to Parliament next month, the PAS No. 2 said there should not be another by-election as it would cost the country millions of ringgit.

He said a seat should be declared vacant only in the event of the elected representative’s death, bankruptcy or loss of credibility.

“The problem is, is it really necessary for the people to be forced to have another by-election? Millions in the country’s funds would be spent on one election, only for the incumbent to make way.

“I believe this should not happen in a democratic country,” he said, reminding that such a decision would be akin to the “Kajang move”, a manoeuvre in 2014 aimed at toppling former Selangor menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and installing Anwar as his replacement.

Tuan Ibrahim said if a by-election were to be called, PAS would field a candidate.

On the matter of PAS-Umno cooperation, he said the Islamist party would consider acting as an observer in Umno’s general assembly should it be invited to do so.

“We have yet to receive an invitation. If we are invited, the party will have a meeting and we will consider it.” – September 1, 2018.