Husam: They go or I'll quit

2009/11/23

By Shuhada Elis and Nik Imran Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR: Kelantan Pas deputy commissioner Datuk Husam Musa appears to be entangled in the ongoing crisis in the state party leadership. It was understood that Husam had stated his intention to relinquish all party and government positions if Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was suspicious of him.

Nik Aziz, it was learnt, had rejected Husam's offer to resign but the Tok Guru's blue-eyed boy then turned around and gave him an ultimatum.

Sources close to the menteri besar told the New Straits Times that Husam, who is also a state executive council member, had told Nik Aziz that he would only stay on if the Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated (PMBK) chief executive officer, Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman, and two state executive councillors relinquished their posts.

Ariffahmi is Nik Aziz's son-in-law who is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged abuse of power.

"Last Tuesday, Husam met Nik Aziz and he wanted to resign but they got very emotional and both of them cried.

Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (left) confirms meeting Husam recently; while Datuk Husam Musa has apparently said he will continue to stay on in Pas

"And since Nik Aziz had asked him to stay on, Husam demanded that Ariffahmi and the two executive council members step down, or he would have to go," the source said without naming the two executive councillors.

The conditions set by Husam were purportedly due to the recent crisis in PMBK involving Ariffahmi.

The issue heated up when the former PMBK corporate liaison officer Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz was sacked for allegedly lodging a report with MACC over the mismanagement of PMBK and for conspiring with a Barisan Nasional assemblyman.

However, it was not known why Husam demanded the resignation of the two state executive council members.

"Husam claimed that there was a conspiracy to remove him from the state government.

"There are people in the opposition and even in Pas who see him as a threat because he doesn't tolerate any hanky-panky in the party," said the source.

An online news portal recently reported Husam as saying that he was fully aware of the conspiracy against him and of the efforts to drive a wedge between him and Nik Aziz, who is also Pas spiritual adviser.

He denied rumours that Nik Aziz was considering removing him from the state administration following the actions by Syed Azidi, his former aide of three years, who was openly "attacking" Ariffahmi through his blog and the media.

In Kota Baru, Nik Aziz said he would not allow Husam to step down because of his capability and wisdom, even if the latter had asked to resign from his post.

"I have not mentioned this before for fear of hurting the feelings of other exco members but Husam has brought many benefits to Kelantan with his ideas.

"This boy is smart, has wide experience and is far-sighted. Allah created him not only for Kelantan but for Malaysia. Even if he has requested (to resign), I will not allow it," he said at a press conference in his office yesterday.

Nik Aziz also confirmed that Husam met him a few days ago, but only to inform him that he was advised by a doctor to seek further treatment for a spinal chord related ailment.