State polls: Expect 'wave of change', says Tuan Ibrahim

PAROI: The “wave of change” for the state elections will be much bigger than the 15th General Election (GE15), says Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Speaking at a ceramah in Kampung Paroi here on Sunday (July 30) night, the PAS deputy president said that political parties had only seen a portion of the “wave”.

He said those disillusioned following the partnership between Pakatan Harapan and Umno will lead to even more voters switching sides.

“No Anwar, No DAP. That was the oath of their (Umno) president and so members were convinced that surely he would not go against his word.

“Pakatan, during their campaigning (in GE15), attacked Umno, making their supporters think that they will never join the party,” he said.

He said as such, the state elections this year is a “rakyat’s referendum”.

“In Peninsular Malaysia, we have 12 states and six are going for elections. If we win six, and we add Perlis, that would mean the Opposition would be in control of seven of the 12 states.

“That will be viewed as a referendum of the people,” he said.

He also took shots at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

“You talk about corruption, and sakau (robbery). Look to your side,” he said.

He said Perikatan Nasional vets all candidates thoroughly, adding that no Cabinet members had cases when they served in the previous Federal Government.

He said all coalition candidates were checked for any prior cases with the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“We checked their background, and their families.

“In PAS, if the husband wants to contest but the wife is not wearing a ‘tudung’ (hijab), he can never be a candidate.

“If the husband wears the ‘tudung’ he also cannot be one,” he said, leading to some laughter in the crowd.

He also queried the double standards, saying that when PAS offered free bus rides for voters to return to vote (for GE15), it was viewed negatively.

He said when Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced grants to youths in Terengganu, it was deemed as not an offence by the MACC.