GE15: Rosol says ‘Umno soul’ label mere political provocation

HULU TERENGGANU: Bersatu’s Datuk Rosol Wahid Hulu Terengganu, who is contesting under a PAS ticket, has played down claims that he is an "Umno soul", describing such allegation as a political ploy.

"I consider it to be a political provocation deliberately designed to weaken my personality and cloud my good relationship with PAS leadership and supporters,” Rosol said.

He was responding to claims made by Tan Sri Idris Jusoh who said that Rosol, who is also the Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister, is an Umno soul, even though he is now a Bersatu member contesting under PAS' banner.

Idris also claimed that Hulu Terengganu PAS members were reluctant to work with the candidate.

Rosol said while he still respects Idris as a “sifu” who taught him a lot on leadership and managing his career on the political stage, he considered such accusations as mere provocation.

"I still respect him as a person who taught me a lot about politics, but to say that I am Umno in spirit when I’m with PAS, that is just political provocation.

"Now I see that my opponents have no issues that they can attack and weaken me with whether it is corruption, abuse of power or immorality.

"So far, Alhamdulillah, since entering politics in 1999, I have not been involved in any such issues. So the opposing party had to look for issues to weaken me," he said after meeting voters in Manir, here, on Wednesday (Nov 9).

Commenting further, Rosol said Idris was also among the individuals who knew and approved of his migration to join Bersatu after losing faith in Umno's leadership, which was entangled in issues of corruption and abuse of power.

On his campaign, Rosol said he has met 50% of the voters in the four constituencies of the Hulu Terengganu parliamentary constituency covering Ajil, Kuala Berang, Manir and Telemong.

"Alhamdulillah, so far when I went down to campaign including in Umno's places, the support was very strong and I see them supporting me, God willing.

“Such grassroots support is important for us in Perikatan Nasional to face GE15," he said.