Independent candidate Salleh denies links with any political party

KEPALA BATAS: Permatang Pauh by-election independent candidate Salleh Isahak says he is not linked to any political parties as claimed by certain quarters.
He said that although he was previously an Umno and PAS member, he had never joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
"I have not been active with any political party, including Umno, and have only been involved with NGO work," he said.
Salleh also refuted online reports that he was the former PKR Permatang Pauh division secretary, adding that unknown individuals were likely trying to sabotage him.
"I do not know why this is happening, but I have made a police report, and I leave it to the police to investigate the matter," he said, adding that the report was made at the Bukit Mertajam police station on Sunday.
Bukit Mertajam Umno division chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir was reported as saying that Salleh, who was a party member, had been sacked for participating in the by-elections as an independent candidate.
Speaking to reporters at the Penang Golf Resort here today, he added that he had established the Pertubuhan Bakti Ikhlas Malaysia, which is based in the state, to bring together the people and work together with the authorities to bring social and economic transformation to the people.
"I am contesting based on my conscience and sincerity to fight under the name of Allah to uphold the religion, nation and the country ... and to tackle social problems and bring up the voices of the Permatang Pauh people," he said.
Salleh added that if he was elected, he would not be bogged down by any political parties,and will work with both the state and federal government to develop the constituency.
When questioned by reporters on why he could not be contacted since nomination day and on his campaign trail, he replied that his campaigning for the by-election will begin soon after ironing out a few details.
This by-election will see a four-cornered fight between Salleh, PKR's Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Suhaimi Sabudin of Barisan Nasional, and Azman Shah Osman of Parti Rakyat Malaysia.