KUALA LUMPUR — A walking stick used by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang fetched RM16,500 at an auction held to raise funds for the party’s election spending in the Melaka state polls, which is widely speculated to be held soon.
The walking stick, made of kemuning wood and bearing Hadi’s initials, “TGHH” opened at RM2,500 before bids rose swiftly, reaching RM4,000 and eventually RM16,500.
The winning bidder was Lembah Pantai PAS division committee member Datuk Muhamad Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin, known for his Mount Everest summit in 2004 at the age of 22.
After the auction, Hadi personally handed the walking stick to Muhamad Muqharabbin, who said he was willing to part with RM16,500 for the stick, not just to support PAS’ campaign in Melaka, but as a reminder to himself that human strength and physical ability do not last forever.
“If God lengthens my life, one day I will be old and may also have to use a walking stick,” he said.
The auction was held during the Melaka PAS fund-raising dinner at a hotel in Ayer Keroh last night.
PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, said in his speech at the dinner that he expected the Melaka polls to be called in about two months’ times.
Melaka must hold elections for its legislative assembly by February next year but its Barisan Nasional administration has hinted several times then an early election will be called.
Hadi, speaking to reporters after the dinner last night, said PN had begun unofficial talks with Barisan Nasional about electoral cooperation for the Melaka polls three days ago.
In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 out of 28 seats in the Melaka assembly, Pakatan Harapan won five and PN won two. – August 24, 2026