'Puad Zarkashi, please read the judgment correctly' - Amzad
KUALA TERENGGANU - Kuala Terengganu Member of Parliament Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim has criticised Umno Supreme Council Member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi for accusing him and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for Kemaman Parliament, Che Alias Hamid, as corrupt.
He said the statement made by Puad was contrary to the court's decision regarding the election petition previously filed by Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates against them.
"I would like to refer to Datuk Puad Zarkashi's statement, where he said that the court had ruled the Kuala Terengganu and Kemaman candidates as corrupt. This is wrong and contrary to the court's decision.
"So I ask, as a senior politician Datuk Mohd Puad Zakarshi to please read the judgment correctly because the interpretation of this judgment was made by the Election Commission (EC) in deciding my eligibility to contest in the last election (Kuala Terengganu By-Election)," he said.
Amzad said this when met by reporters in conjunction with the Permata Maulidur Rasul programme at the Mother and Baby Treatment Center (PRIBA) of the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) on Thursday.
Amzad added that so far, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has not conducted an investigation and that there was no link with elements of corruption.
"Regarding the Kemaman petition, the issue is the same because it is related to the state government's programme in helping the people. In my view, there cannot be a 'double standard.'
"It can't be done when it involves the state government, but at the same time, when the Federal Government does the same (for example) programmes to provide various assistance to the people, they say it is a government initiative," he said.
Amzad, who is also a member of the Pas Central Committee, said the victory with a majority of 27,000 votes in the area reflects the decision made by the people.
"It is a clear signal of the will of the people, just like in Kuala Terengganu. I think each can evaluate any action so as not to harm the people's tax money to be used if there is a need to hold an election with the same result. This is a waste.
"What is certain is that due respect must be given to the decisions made by the people," he said.
In a report by Sinar on Wednesday, Puad suggested that the MACC investigate and prosecute the Pas candidates in Kuala Terengganu and Kemaman for corruption and bribery.
Puad said the situation was very odd because the court ruled that both candidates were corrupt but they were not charged and could contest again.
He said the same situation may also happen in Masjid Tanah involving Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin when the Melaka Election Court on Monday set Oct 27 as the date for the decision of the election petition for the Parliament seat in the area.
