All eyes on Kelantan MB when he names officials
(The Star) – Following his appointment as the new PAS state commissioner, all eyes will be trained on Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob when he names his officials in the new state party team.
Observers said it would test his mettle as a leader as it would have a bearing on GE14.
Ahmad, 63, has a tough decision to make to maintain unity and balance of power within the outfit, following spats among senior PAS leaders that led to party vice-president Datuk Husam Musa criticising the state government during the state assembly sitting in early October over several administrative issues.
Husam’s feud with the Kelantan government led party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and the central committee to intervene and a meeting was held at the Mentri Besar’s official residence at JKR 10 here on Oct 22.
Present were Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, Kota Baru MP Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, Pulai Chondong assemblyman Zulkifli Mamat and state executive committee members.
Abdul Hadi said no action would be taken against the Salor assemblyman for his outburst but advised that any criticism should be done within the boundaries of decorum and respect.
Political analyst Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff, who did a PhD thesis on PAS in the era of the ulama leadership, said although it would seem as if the feud between Husam and the state leadership had simmered, Ahmad had a difficult decision to make if he wanted unity within his outfit.
“It is my opinion that not appointing Husam in the line-up may exacerbate power struggle within the party because Husam is Salor asssemblyman as well as Kubang Kerian PAS commissioner and a party vice-president,” he added.
“Alternatively, it would be appropriate for Ahmad to appoint Mohd Amar as state deputy commissioner I and Husam as deputy commissioner II while other senior PAS leaders, like either Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, Datuk Mohd Hanifa Ahmad or Pasir Mas MP Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, as deputy commissioner III,” said Dr Kamarul.
