Sacking shows PAS under PKR influence, says Noh

(The Star) Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Noh Omar said PAS acted under the influence of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali when it sacked Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.

He alleged that PAS was reluctant to make its own stand or voice its dissatisfaction without considering what PKR wanted first.

“PAS’ switch from pursuing an Islamic state agenda to a welfare state is among the indications,” he said.

The PAS central committee removed Dr Hasan two days after Azmin had called for his sacking for objecting to the rally supporting Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Jalan Duta.

“Azmin has succeeded in getting Dr Hasan out. This clearly shows PAS is forced to listen to what Azmin and Anwar want,” added Noh.

Meanwhile, former Selangor mentri besar Dr Khir Toyo said he expected Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Rani Osman to replace Dr Hasan as a state exco member.

“I was told Dr Rani would be the replacement for Dr Hasan,” he said.

In Bloemfontein, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is Umno president, described Hasan’s sacking as having a correlation with PAS policies as well as the future direction of the party.

“It seems that there are huge differences of opinion with respect to PAS’ future direction … We see this as a PAS internal matter,” he told Malaysian journalists covering his two-day visit to South Africa.

In Rawang, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Dr Hasan was free to join Umno.

“Umno’s door is open to him and others who want to join us,” Ahmad Zahid said.

Ahmad Zahid, who is Defence Minister, was responding to questions on the former Selangor PAS commissioner at a press conference during his visit to the Templer Park national service camp.

Ahmad Zahid said Dr Hasan’s sacking from PAS showed that the party was not able to accept criticisms from its members, adding that it was not the first time PAS had resorted to sacking members who spoke against it.

He recalled that PAS sacked the late Tan Sri Asri Muda, who took the party into the Barisan coalition in 1973.

Asri was Kelantan Mentri Besar for 10 years until he resigned to become a federal minister after the 1974 general election.

PAS sacked him in 1982 after accusing him of trying to shift the party from its religious-based policy platforms.