Former Fugees star Pras says he will not back Wyclef Jean in his bid for Haiti’s presidency

Former Fugee Pras not backing Wyclef for president

NEW YORK — Wyclef Jean’s presidential bid in Haiti is receiving criticism from his childhood friend and fellow Fugees bandmate, Pras.

The Haitian-born musician says he will not back Jean because he lacks a definitive plan to bring the island nation into the 21st century.

“You’ve got 1.2 million people living in tent city right now. What are the plans to get these people out,” Pras said of the survivors of the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Pras plans to support Jean’s opponent, Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly, who he said is better suited to run the country.

“He’s more popular in Haiti than Wyclef,” said Pras.

Jean’s publicist, Leslie Chasky, didn’t immediately return a telephone call Friday night seeking a response to Pras’ comments.

Jean is currently regarded as the front-runner in the country’s Nov. 28 election. But he has come under scrutiny since officially announcing his candidacy Thursday.

Actor Sean Penn has accused Jean of not spending enough time in Haiti after the quake and misappropriating $400,000 of the $9 million his charity, Yele Haiti, raised after the disaster. Jean told The Associated Press on Thursday: “I just want Sean Penn to fully understand I am a Haitian, born in Haiti and I’ve been coming to my country ever since (I was) a child.”

Pras said that Jean uses a private jet for his frequent trips to Haiti and that he wonders why Jean doesn’t take a commercial flight, since the money saved can help displaced families.

He added that he loves Wyclef “dearly,” but he just doesn’t support his policies.