Pas crisis at a critical stage, says Muhyiddin

2009/11/24

By Farrah Naz Karim

CYBERJAYA: Persistent rumours of Pas deputy commissioner II Datuk Husam Musa leaving the party are yet another indication of the opposition's troubles. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said while problems seemed to dog DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Pas was also not spared.

This, he said, was despite the denials by Pas spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

"They can deny it but as time passes, more problems start to show.

"The people can see this for themselves, all the clear signs that the crisis in the party is at a critical stage," said Muhyiddin, who is the Barisan Nasional deputy chairman.

"They try to conceal their problems from the people, but when you hear from their leadership itself, you know that there is a crisis."

Muhyiddin, who earlier opened the World Health Organisation Global Service Centre here, was asked about reports of Husam's intention to quit his posts in the party and the Kelantan state government over a dispute in the state administration.

It was reported that Husam, who is also a state executive council member, 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 council members relinquished their positions.

Ariffahmi is Nik Aziz's son-in-law. He is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for alleged abuses.

The conditions set by Husam were purportedly due to Ariffahmi's actions in PMBK.

Both Nik Aziz and Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang have downplayed the reports.

Nik Aziz also said that Husam, in a recent meeting, merely informed him that he had been advised to seek further treatment for a spinal chord ailment, for which he granted Husam five days' leave.

Husam's quitting, Nik Aziz said, was "not raised, either in his head or my head".