K KANGSAR POLLS As campaigning heats up, a poster of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has been defaced to make him appear like a clown.

This incurred the wrath of Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria, who criticised those responsible.

Describing this as an act of provocation, he also called it a desperate attempt to run down the Islamist party ahead of the June 18 by-election.

Razman said there was no reason to target the PAS president since Hadi was not contesting for the parliamentary seat.

"This provocation started with the billboards yesterday. They say all sorts of things, they say we are with Umno.

"If we want to be with Umno, we will not be contesting in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar. How can you say we support Umno?

"This is the era of mature politics; attempting to soil individuals (by defacing posters) is an old story," he told Sinar Harian.

However, Razman refused to point the finger when asked if he knew who was behind this incident.

He said all quarters must avoid indulging in such provocations as it could lead to a disharmonious situation.

"We reprimand those responsible for the provocation. It seems they are desperate to garner support.

"They are worried about the support received by PAS so they are trying these things to spark off provocation," he added.

Earlier, PAS threatened to take legal action against those who put up billboards accusing them of conspiring with Umno.

Party vice-president Idris Ahmad challenged those responsible to repeat their wild allegations openly.

PAS candidate Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad would be facing a four-way tussle for the Kuala Selangor parliament seat against BN’s Mastura Mohd Yazid, Parti Amanah Negara’s Ahmad Termizi Ramli and independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary in the June 18 polls.

The seat fell vacant following the death of former incumbent and Mastura's husband Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad in a helicopter crash during the recent Sarawak election.