Mahfuz to PAS: Thanks for dropping me in GE14

ALOR SETAR: In a show of defiance, Datuk Mahfuz Omar thanked PAS for dropping him as a candidate in the upcoming 14th general election (GE14).

“I want to say thank you for not nominating me. Even if PAS were to nominate me, I wouldn’t accept it because I will be seen as betraying the people,” he said.

Mahfuz, who won the Pokok Sena MP seat for two terms under a PAS ticket, has been estranged from the party after he showed his support for Pakatan Harapan, which PAS has disassociated itself from.

On Saturday, Kedah PAS deputy commissioner Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said Mahfuz would not be fielded in GE14 due to his rapport with Pakatan Harapan.

Sanusi's remarks came after Mahfuz and three other PAS leaders were seen attending Parti Amanah Negara’s national convention on Saturday.

Mahfuz explained that he would reject any nomination from PAS to field him because the party "is not serious in wanting to change the government" and was confident of winning only 40 parliament seats.

“If I became the candidate for a party that only targets to win 40 seats, it will only give BN the mandate to continue ruling," he said.

On whether he would consider contesting under the Amanah banner, Mahfuz said “that is an issue that does not arise today”.