The "devil party" that is "controlled by the devil" is incapable of providing justice for all, said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

"The devil party which is controlled by the devil - the devil that people know - is incapable of upholding justice for all," he said during the opening of the 58th PAS muktamar in Kota Bharu this morning.

NONEHowever when asked who was he referring to at a press conference later, Hadi replied that he did not name any names.

"Siapa yang makan lada, dialah yang rasa pedas," he added - a Malay idiom that means if a person feels the description fits them, they will know it.

Meanwhile, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali said the best person to explain this is former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad.

“Go and ask Mahathir, that was said by Mahathir, he was the one who coined the term,” he told a press conference.

Dr Mahathir in a blog posting had urged the people to opt for the “devil they know” rather than risking the country’s future with an “angel they don’t know” in reference to Pakatan Rakyat.

The comments were subsequently used to attack the ruling coalition which Mahathir led for 22 years.
‘Harakah at crossroads’
On a separate matter, Abdul Hadi parried the heavy criticism directed towards party organ Harakah during the muktamar of the party’s youth and ulama wings yesterday.

“So far, I am satisfied with Harakah even with their limited resources.

NONE“We must realise that Harakah is at a crossroads between catering to party members and also the public at large, so there is a dilemma,” he said.

Yesterday, the two wings had called for Harakah’s editorial team to be revamped, accusing it of giving more space to Pakatan Rakyat than its own party.

Abdul Hadi said the party will take into account all views and will discuss the proposal.

On the announcement of election candidates, the Marang MP said it will only be done when the election date is announced.