Pas attempts to cool things down, claims Gerakan over reacted

Pas is attempting to cool things down on the issue of brewery companies donating to vernacular schools even as Gerakan and Pas have differing stance on the issue.

Penang Pas chief Muhammad Fauzi Yusof claimed that Gerakan is overreacting on the issue while Pas merely was capitalising on the issue by targeting Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu.

He said the issue is that Aiman Athirah received a mock cheque bearing the logo of a brewery company.

“That is the only issue here, as Pas has never questioned the funding of non-Muslim schools or brought up the issue of the government’s ruling on the issue,” he said.

“As such, it is baffling why Gerakan is blowing this issue out of proportion and threatening to quit Perikatan Nasional,” Muhammad Fauzi said, reported The Star.

A photo of Aiman Athirah accepting a mock check bearing the Tiger Beer logo at a school charity event sponsored by Tiger Beer recently sparked controversy after it went viral.

Following the incident, Pas strongly criticised Aiman for attending the event and receiving a mock check with the Tiger Beer logo on it.

In response to Pas’ criticism of Aiman Athirah, Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong warned that the party might exit the Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Oh stated that Gerakan would not remain in a coalition if it meant yielding to conservative and unreasonable demands from certain members.

Pas leaders, including election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and vice-president Datuk Amar Abdullah, quickly reacted, suggesting that Gerakan was free to pursue its own path if it chose to leave.