PAS renegade Hasan Ali says will never join Umno

(The Malaysian Insider) – Sacked from PAS, renegade lawmaker Datuk Hasan Ali said today he will never join Umno as he still supports the Islamist party even as he vowed to expose weaknesses in the party he alleged was controlled by a group of progressive Muslims he branded as “Anwaristas’.

The self-styled champion of Islam denied allegations that he had been “bought” by the country’s largest Malay party — which is also the mainstay of the Barisan Nasional (BN) federal government — to conduct public speeches nationwide.

“I am still with PAS and will not join Umno. Therefore, my decision should be respected by all parties,” he told state news agency Bernama after a dialogue session with civil servants in Besut organised by the district youth council.

“Until today, I speak on the principle of upholding Islam in this country even though I have to used my own funds,” he was quoted as saying.

The Gombak Setia assemblyman had been Selangor’s executive councillor for Islamic affairs until he was booted from PAS in January.

The former Selangor PAS commissioner had blamed Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for being the reason that led to his sacking from the Islamist party, which is part of the state’s ruling Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact.

Hasan said the “Anwaristas” — a new group of Islamic democrats alleged to take their cue on religion from Anwar — were not only acting as the shield and chief mover in PAS but had also become its spokesman, leading to the marginalisation of the group of PAS ulama, or the religious scholars.

The role of the ulama in PAS had shrunk and some were expelled for speaking out in defence of Islam, Hasan said.

“Therefore, people should not wonder if in the near future, PAS will sack more of the ulama, including Nasharudin Mat Isa, for championing Isla