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Saturday May 30, 2009

‘Tiga Abdul’ at Penanti polls


BUKIT MERTAJAM: The legendary Tiga Abdul is at play in the Penanti by-election but it is no comedy for the political rivals here.

Former Jelutong PKR chief Zarus Yusof claimed that state PKR chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim headed a group of three leaders, whom he referred to as Tiga Abdul, who he said were responsible for a spate of sackings and appointments of PKR leaders in Penang.

Zarus came out in support of independent candidate Aminah Abdullah over her outburst against Zahrain, saying he was ruling the state PKR with an iron fist. He said Aminah was another victim of the power play by the Tiga Abdul.

“They trumped up charges against me to sack and replace me with their friend. They claimed that I did not organise meetings and had slacked in my duties as a division chief.

“I was forced to sign a letter by the then state party information head Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, who is now a state executive councillor, to relinquish my post.

“I was never given a chance to defend myself. I was disappointed and signed the letter on my own will.

“In fact, party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim advised me against the decision but I lost trust and faith in them,” he said yesterday.

Aminah, when met at the Cen-tral Seberang Prai police headquarters in Bandar Perda yesterday, claimed that the Tiga Abdul would trump up charges against those who were a threat to their positions.

(Tiga Abdul, a P. Ramlee movie, is about siblings Abdul Wahid, Abdul Wahab and Abdul Wahub who were involved in a tussle to inherit their father’s wealth following his death).

Aminah said that a state party leader also threatened to slap her for highlighting the truth about Zahrain to party president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail and Anwar. She said they were also angry when she defended Zarus.

Abdul Malik, when contacted, said he was aware of Zarus’ allegations but declined to comment. “It is an old issue. I do not want to dance to their tune. Right now, I want to concentrate on the by-election,” he said.

Meanwhile, police recorded a statement from PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shahrin for allegedly uttering seditious remarks during ceramah.

Badrul Hisham said he was in-vestigated in connection with four reports lodged against him at talks in Kubang Ulu, Sungai Semambu, Kubang Semang and Guar Perahu.

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