Don't ask members to leave: Pas youth chief

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas youth head Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi believes disciplinary action should be taken against any leaders who criticised the party’s rule rather than asking them to leave the party.

Nasruddin who voiced out against criticism on Pas’ Negara Kebajikan (welfare state) in his Twitter posting, told The Mole: "It is unwise for any party members to question the negara kebajikan concept as this has always been the core of Pas’ struggle.

"Nonetheless it does not mean the party reject criticisms, but it must be done in a proper manner. You are free to air it within the party.”

Nasruddin was referring to the statement made by a Selangor Pas leader Datuk Dr Hassan Ali during his press conference when Hassan said the party’s idea of negara kebajikan had veered from the party’s original struggle of creating the Islamic state.

“Pas has always been consistent in upholding and governing a nation with Islamic principles. Any Pas member should understand and accept that,” Nasruddin added.

Asked to comment on Pas’ vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar's statement in a news report that Hassan should do the necessary if he rejected the party’s struggle, Nasruddin said: “I believe Pas leadership should call Hassan and let him explain himself first.

"If indeed he is found guilty, the party must take disciplinary action against him. Treat him as a party member rather than squabbling openly about it.”

Nasruddin also said in Islam if a person expressed to convert to other religions, he would be called to explain his reasons, rather than being asked to leave immediately.

“We should apply that practice in Pas,” Nasruddin said.

Pas former deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who had also been accused of being an Umno agent by Pas secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali, said in a press statement: "As far as my involvement with Pas, I have never expressed any intention of joining Umno.

"Do not use this kind of excuse to make assumptions of my political actions."

Meanwhile Pas Selangor information chief Saari Sungib who was accused by Hassan of being the person who initiated the whole fiasco refused to comment on the matter, saying he was ordered by the party not to say anything.

A blog posting questioned the role played by Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in handling the matter as he seemed to be silent about it.

Another posting stated any actions by Pas leadership on Hassan and Nasharuddin who were accused of being Umno agents, could have a bearing on how the people would react to the party in the next general election.

Source: MOLE