ALOR STAR: Caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has urged Pas members in Langkawi to vote for Bersatu candidates following the move by two Pas members to contest as independent candidates for the Ayer Hangat and Kuah seats.
Sanusi said it is too early to assess the impact of the move by the two Pas members, who were automatically sacked from the party upon contesting the seats.
"We are only days (into the election campaign), we shall see how it goes in the next couple of days.
"However, I don't think there is much we can do (about the independent candidates) since they have been sacked by the party... this is a democratic country.
"If we wanted to advise them, it should be done before (nomination day) but back then we did not expect it (the objection to Bersatu candidates) would escalate to that level," Sanusi told reporters after campaigning for Perikatan Nasional candidate for Kubang Rotan seat Datuk Salleh Saidin in Kuala Kedah here today.
As such, Sanusi urged Pas members in Langkawi to vote for Bersatu candidates in both seats.
On Sunday, The New Straits Times has reported that two Pas members were contesting as independent candidates for two state seats contested by Bersatu candidates in Langkawi.
The two are Langkawi Pas division deputy chief Mazlan Ahmad who is standing as an independent candidate for the Kuah seat and Langkawi Pas Youth wing treasurer; and Safwan Hanif Shafie who filed his nomination for the Ayer Hangat seat.
Meanwhile, Mazlan and Safwan said they were not bothered by Pas' move to sack them from the party for standing as independent candidates.
They insisted that the decision did not deter their spirit in the campaign for the Aug 12 polls.
"I accept the decision with an open heart and in fact I was ready for it since I filed nomination as an independent candidate.
"As a seasoned party member I truly understand the party constitution and this expulsion is normal for a member who going against the current," he said when contacted.
Safwan on the other hand said he had tendered his resignation from the party before submitting his nomination paper.