Pas ready to fight Amanah's legal action over defamation claims

KOTA BARU: Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) has the right to take legal action against Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over claims that the party was created by DAP to divide Pas.

Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said that while the issue is not seen as significant by his party, they are prepared to fight it.

"The courts are open; anyone can sue or be sued, but sometimes there are many court cases where people sue others and lose, ending up having to pay the person they sued. Hence, we have no problem with it.

"If Amanah sues, we will fight. Do not think they are the only ones who can sue. We can too, as everyone has legal rights. Let the court decide, so see you in court," he told reporters today after attending the signing ceremony between Sekolah Rendah Integrasi Teras Islam Al Fateh Kampung Sireh and Yayasan Nik Yahya.

Earlier today, Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar dismissed Sanusi's allegations that Amanah was founded by former PAS members who rejected the party's political direction.

Mahfuz added that there were many allegations about Amanah's establishment, including that the party was established by PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.

In a separate development, Takiyuddin also invited former minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim, to join Pas. His invitation came in response to Mohd Zaid's suggestion that former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin join Pas to return to politics.

Takiyuddin, who is also the Kota Baru member of parliament, said he welcomed Mohd Zaid to join Pas but did not guarantee that the latter would be accepted.

"I invite (Mohd) Zaid to apply to join Pas. Whether he will be accepted or not, I don't know. We invited him to join Pas, so why is he inviting KJ? He (Mohd Zaid) should be the one joining Pas," he said.

Previously, Mohd Zaid was reported to have told sacked Umno members to consider joining Pas, stating that the party could offer them a political comeback.