Saifuddin's appointment not dedak

GEORGE TOWN: The appointment of Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's strategic advisor has nothing to do with "dedak" said Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon.
He was responding to an article in Harakah Daily which likened the appointment of the PKR secretary-general to animal feed.
Mohd Rashid said the appointment was a strategic political move by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to further strengthen the coalition in the next general election.
"His appointment is part of PH's strategic move to wrestle Malay support in several areas in Penang.
"He has the experience from Kelantan, where he helped PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat during his term as MP there," he told a press conference yesterday after the appointment of 12 coordinators to oversee Barisan Nasional constituencies in the state.
Mohd Rashid said other than working to gain the support of the Malay community in the state, Saifudin would also work on strengthening support in seats where PH won by a thin margin.
A Harakah Daily editorial stated that Saifudin's appointment was a means to stop any possible cooperation between PKR and PAS.
Mohd Rashid said Saifuddin was appointed by the PH coalition and not by DAP or PKR.