PAS tells Nasharuddin to clear the air

(Harakah) – PAS’s Bachok member of parliament who is also member of the party’s Shura Council Nasharuddin Mat Isa has been told to immediately clarify to the Council a statement he made on UMNO-owned media criticising PAS’s cooperation with DAP.

Information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Nasharuddin’s statement contradicted his own remarks at the PAS Muktamar not long ago, where he had described PAS’s alliance with DAP and PKR as a culmination of long consultation among the ulama.

Tuan Ibrahim said it was now up to Nasharuddin to explain his latest comments, failing which he said the party’s Central Committee and Shura Council would have to discuss the next course of action.

Nasharuddin, who was seen in a photograph seated beside prime minister Najib Razak during a meeting in Makkah with two pro-UMNO Saudi Arabian individuals, recently appeared on UMNO-owned TV3’s news bulletin. This time, he endorsed calls by UMNO leaders that PAS quit Pakatan Rakyat on the pretext that DAP was opposed to hudud laws.

Tuan Ibrahim cautioned that the information available now about Nasharuddin’s statement had been from the media, adding that the former PAS deputy president should be given a chance to explain himself.

“The news must first be verified before any action is taken,” added Tuan Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has denied a Bernama report which quoted him as telling Nasharuddin to quit the party.

The Kelantan Menteri Besar clarified that it was up to Nasharuddin to leave the party, adding that he had merely said he would not be surprised if there were PAS leaders quitting the party.