Hasan sidelined as PAS leaders say he can leave if he wants
(The Star) – Firebrand PAS leader Datuk Dr Hasan Ali is in the middle of a storm, with one top official saying the party would have no issue with him quitting to join Umno just a day after there were reports that he would not be fielded as an election candidate.
Another party leader is suggesting that he has been “trapped” by the agenda of the enemy, but things became complicated with PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan openly pledging his support for Dr Hasan, who is said to have a solid bank of support among the grassroots.
Vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar said it was up to Hasan to decide whether or not he wants to leave the Islamist party, indicating a widening rift between the top leadership and the former Selangor PAS commissioner.
Secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali was also irked that Hasan appeared to be questioning the stance of the party.
The embattled 64-year-old Hasan was recently quoted in a Malay daily as being open to spearheading unification talks with Umno but Mahfuz said Hasan did not represent the party’s position on the issue.
“This issue (PAS-Umno unity) was never discussed (by the top leadership), and he (Hasan) was never appointed as our representative to discuss this,” he said yesterday.
Mahfuz, however, clarified that he was not alluding to the possibility of Hasan leaving PAS, saying he was only answering a hypothetical question raised at a press conference earlier.
The vice-president said Hasan’s plan to bring the two parties together with Islam as the basis was not in line with the PAS goal of unifying all Muslims and all Malaysians, regardless of race and creed.
In an interview with Harakah online, Mustafa criticised Hasan and his Nasruddin Hasan.
Mustafa said: “The two of them have been dragged into the Umno agenda which can jeopadise our party.”
This is the latest in a series of controversies to hit Hasan, who as a Selangor state executive councillor has had many a run-in with his party colleagues and Pakatan Rakyat partners over the management of his portfolio in charge of Islamic affairs, Malay customs, infrastructure and public amenities.
The controversies include the recent anti-proselytisation inspection on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church, claims of solar-powered bibles being used to convert Muslims to Christianity and his failed attempt to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages at 7-11 outlets.
On the other hand, his supporters, most notably Nasrudin, view Hasan as an eminent defender of Islam, Malays and the royal institution.
Nasrudin was at the forefront to defend Hasan on numerous occasions, openly supporting the church inspection and his decision to take part in the “Himpunan Sejuta Umat” (gathering of a million believers) against proselytisation of Muslims, despite a ban by the top PAS leadership.
Another key supporter for Hasan is veteran leader and former party deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
