By AZREEN HANI / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

Prime Minister (PM) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterates that PAS will not support Umno in the Semenyih by-election as the party is not facing a DAP candidate.

“Hadi, Takiyuddin and Ahmad Samsuri admitted they will not support Umno this time because Umno’s contender is not from DAP,” Dr Mahathir said yesterday, referring to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, secretary general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan and Terengganu Mentri Besar (MB) Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar respectively.

“This time around, Umno is not facing DAP, but Bersatu (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia). They told me they will not support Umno,” the PM said referring to the three.

The PM revealed on Saturday that Abdul Hadi had stated in writing that he will not support Umno in the by-election.

It was reported that Takiyuddin and Ahmad Samsuri were also present in the meeting at the Al-Bukhary Foundation last Friday.

However, both Abdul Hadi and Ahmad Samsuri have denied that they had written any agreement on the matter, saying PAS had only signed a letter supporting Dr Mahathir in strengthening the Islamic, Malay and the people’s agenda in general.

Dr Mahathir said he is compelled to reveal the truth upon denials from PAS leaders on this matter.

“When I learn about their denials, I have to reveal what exactly transpired. They did not say whether they will support Bersatu or Pakatan Harapan, and they (PAS) will not be From P1 Dr M

Headline: Govt to build 1m affordable houses in 10 years present (during the nomination day), but as we know, they still showed up,” Dr Mahathir said, adding that he only has a signed letter from Takiyuddin at the moment.

“I don’t have a letter from (Abdul) Hadi and MB (Ahmad Samsuri). But they promised to give a written admission.”

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Dr Mahathir as saying that the Pakatan Harapan government will build one million affordable and low-cost houses within a period of 10 years.

He said although the government is facing various constraints in fulfilling the pledge, it would still be implemented to help the less affordable group, especially those in the B40 group, with the cooperation of the private sector.

“The government cannot afford to build one million homes within 10 years without the cooperation from the private sector. Today, we see many private sector groups welcoming our programme, including in the restructuring of the community to ensure that there are industries located in the community settlements to be developed.

“We hope that with the existence of a structured community equipped with clubs — that could be made as the medium to channel the problems of the local community to the elected representatives — and workshops to enable them to be involved in business, it will also develop the economy of the local community,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after launching the National Community Policy formulated by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) to tackle social housing issues at the local community level, especially in low-cost stratified housing areas nationwide.

Also present were the Prime Ministers wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, KPKT Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, Selangor MB Amiruddin Shaari and other Cabinet members.