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I did better than PAS reps in GE13, Rafizi reminds challenger
Published:  Apr 28, 2017 2:40 PM
Updated: 8:21 AM
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Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli has reminded PAS Youth that he won his seat in the last general election with a far larger majority than PAS representatives and is therefore not afraid to stand in the next eletion.

However, Rafizi said in response to Selangor PAS Youth delegate Mohamed Sukri Omar, it was not a question of whether he is “man enough” to contest, but the move by the BN regime to disqualify him through legal action.

“I find (Sukri's challenge) hilarious because if not for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's administration that has hauled me to court (whether for criminal charges or civil suits), I will surely contest the Pandan parliamentary seat,” Rafizi added in a statement today.

He was commenting on Sukri telling the PAS Youth muktamar yesterday that "If he (Rafizi) is anak jantan (a real man) then contest (again) in the Pandan parliamentary seat in the next general election.

"If he is a man, then be prepared to face Muslim youths whose spirit will not waver," the PAS delegate said in reaction to Rafizi's allegation that former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa received funds from former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International.

Rafizi in his defence noted that his Malay support was solid, based on his performance in the 2013 general election, as compared with other PAS candidates, particularly in the state seats under Pandan.

He claimed he had the largest winning majority in the last general election for a Malay candidate, nationwide, and “far larger than any of my friends from PAS”.

Rafizi said he is the first opposition candidate to win the Pandan seat with a large majority of 27,000 votes (67 percent of the popular vote).

'Speaking truth is true courage'

In comparison, added the PKR vice-president, his performance far outstripped that of PAS vice-president Iskandar Abdul Samad in the Cempaka state seat, which falls under Pandan.

“That means there were Malay voters in Pandan who voted for me, but not for PAS.

“That's why it is very funny when PAS Youth challenges me to contest in Pandan, because it's not that I am afraid or want to run away,” Rafizi added.

He said his many pending legal cases were all related to his efforts in fighting corruption, and he reminded PAS, a former Pakatan Rakyat coalition partner, of the need to do the same.

“Challenging political allies with all kinds of names and threats is not a symbol of courage.

“The true mark of courage is speaking the truth to the ruling party, which has absolute power and which can throw us in jail because we speak the truth,” Rafizi added.

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