No polls Pas-sage for Nasha

Nik Aziz confirms party won’t field ex-deputy president

KOTA BARU: Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, who was recently booted out of the Syura Council, has been dealt another blow after being dropped as a candidate in the coming general election.

Kelantan PAS commissioner and party spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the Bachok MP would definitely not be fielded.

Nik Aziz, who also chaired the Syura Council meeting on Jan 13 that expelled Nasharudin, said his name was not recommended by any of the PAS divisions to contest in the general election.

Nasharudin said he had not received any official notification of his sacking.

“I only knew through the media, not through official party channel,” he said.

Nasharudin, however, said he would continue to uphold and fight for Islam “with or without any position in the party”.

It was reported that he was removed from the party’s Syura Council for violating regulations.

Nasharudin was seen with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in several of the Prime Minister’s trips, including the recent humanitarian visit to

What is so strange about this? Husbands and wives get divorced, people in football associations or coaches also get axed. — DATUK NIK ABDUL AZIZ NIK MAT

Gaza, Palestine.

Nik Aziz described Nasharudin’s expulsion as nothing out of the ordinary.

“What is so strange about this? Husbands and wives get divorced, people in football associations or coaches also get axed,” he said at his residence in Pulau Melaka.

He refused to comment on whether the sacking had caused a rift within the party, stressing that the meeting that decided to sack Nasharudin was carried out methodically.

In JELI, Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad said Nasharudin was a victim of a party that “practises narrow-minded politics”.

He said the reason for Nasharudin’s expulsion – that he had failed to attend important meetings – was more than what met the eyes.

“Nasharudin is an Islamic scholar and a respected ulama who has been active in promoting solidarity among Muslims in the country.

“By punishing him, it is clear that PAS is uncomfortable with his struggle to foster unity between the Malays and the Muslims in the country,” he said.

Former Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, who was expelled from the party last year, said he was not surprised by Nasharudin’s sacking.

“The signs were already there,” he said. adding that many Pakatan Rakyat leaders were uncomfortable because Nasharudin had spoken out against several of them.