The Star Malaysia

PAS wants to spark ‘green tsunami’

Party aims to gather 200,000 at rally

- newsdesk@thestar.com.my By SIRA HABIBU and ONG HAN SEAN

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS is hoping to trigger a “green tsunami” in the run-up to the 14th general election by attracting waves of people to its Fastaqim 2.0 rally in Terengganu.

PAS members and supporters from across the nation have gathered in the district for the party’s pre-election rally.

Meant as a display of strength before the next general election, PAS is aiming to gather as many as 200,000 people for the rally at the Pantai Tok Jembal beach here.

Fastaqim 2.0 chairman Nasrudin Hassan said the two-day event from yesterday will be used as a platform to motivate members.

A carnival-like atmosphere is expected to prevail, with tents put up and for people to participat­e in friendly competitio­ns by the beach.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has called on members to come in droves to prove their loyalty to the Islamist party.

“Our approach is uniting the different races under the concept of a civilised community by respecting the right of practising Islam while guaranteei­ng justice for non-Muslims by opposing chauvinist­ic behaviour and narrow racism that is practised by certain parties,” he said in a message calling for supporters to attend the event.

Although the local council took down PAS’ flag from Jambatan Sultan Mahmud in Kuala Terengganu yesterday morning, Nasrudin urged members not to be dishearten­ed.

“The local council is just doing its job. If they do not allow us to fly our flags in some places, we can place it elsewhere. No hard feelings,’’ he added.

Terengganu PAS informatio­n chief Mohd Nor Hamzah said the party’s enemies have ganged up to intimidate them.

“This gathering is timely, as we can show the world we have the strength to stand on our own and move forward on a straight path,’’ he added.

PAS is also expected to make an announceme­nt on the national figures who will be joining the rally.

Among the people listed in attendance other than PAS’ top leadership are former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia president Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir.

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