Penang PAS youth chief picked to contest Permatang Pauh seat

KEPALA BATAS: Penang PAS youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamuddeen (pix) has been picked to contest in the Permatang Pauh parliament seat for the upcoming 14th general election (GE14).
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said Afnan's candidacy will represent the Islamist front in Penang, at a PKR fotress.
"Tonight I announce Afnan Hamimi as the candidate for Permatang Pauh," said Hadi to thunderous applause from over 2000 supporters present during the launch of the state level Gagasan Sejahtera at Pongsu Seribu near last night.
Later during the press conference, Abdul Hadi said change will take place at the PKR stronghold which is currently held by the incumbent, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
He also reminded that the parliament constituency was held by PAS' MP Zabidi Ali in 1978 after he beat BN's Ariffin Daud.
However, in 1982 Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regained the seat for BN, beating Zabidi and the DAP candidate Tan Ah Huat.
Since the 1969 general election, the constituency has changed hands several times.
Afnan who is also PAS national youth secretary was a candidate during the last general election in Kepala Batas where lost to Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican by a majority of 4176 votes.
Earlier in his speech Abdul Hadi said only PAS leaders remained clean and were the only ones not to have been investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
"We need to be proud as no one from us (PAS) has been questioned by the anti-graft agency," he said.
Meanwhile, state PAS commissioner Fauzi Yusoff said the party will contest in six parliamentary and 18 state seats in the next election.
He also said the party will battle all out against the odds to ensure victory.
Earlier, PAS's strategic partner Parti Cinta Malaysia's (PCM) deputy president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan hit out at the state government for several issues plaguing the state.
He questioned the so-called common logo (PKR) used by DAP to contest in the election.
"Why they dare not use their own 'Rocket' symbol," he asked.
He also called on the crowd comprising of hardcore PAS supporters in the Malay heartland to support the Islamist party.
Chants of "Hidup PAS" emanated around the area.
PAS' candidates announcement for the Penang parliamentary and state seats is expected take place at Pongsu Seribu on Thursday.