MB's aide responds to Sabu, denies PAS leaders jostling for titles

Harakahdaily

PETALING JAYA, Jun 13: True to his prediction that he would be "scolded" for giving an unflattering appraisal of PAS, deputy president Mohamad Sabu today found himself being criticised over his complaint that the Islamic party had been slow in implementing reforms as well as what he described as a penchant among its leaders to "chase" official titles. Responding to Mat Sabu's earlier interview to online portalMalaysiakini, Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, political secretary to Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, denied such a culture among PAS leaders. "I do not see such a thinking or the results of such 'wrong views' existing among PAS leaders in Kedah, indeed there is no such jostling for titles or wealth, what more requests among state representatives or Exco for land. "Conferring Datukship for instance is the sole prerogative of the Sultan, no Exco or state representative from had ever filled up forms asking for titles for themselves," he wrote in a lengthy reply published by the portal. Earlier, in an exclusive interview with the portal, Mat Sabu lamented that PAS state governments in Kedah and Kelantan had been too slow adapting radical political change to achieve good governance and respect for human rights, and urged leaders to emulate some of the policies by the DAP-led state government in Penang. "(PAS) is now in power in Kedah and in Kelantan, but change has been slow moving and not enough," said Sabu, who also took a swipe at some PAS leaders who he said displayed a weakness for official titles, and said they risked returning to a "feudal system". 'No datukship chase' Saying he was responsible for managing nominations of award recipients by the Menteri Besar's office for the palace's consideration, Sanusi said recipients were selected based after a strict filtering process. "In the period of the three years, I have not seen any clear trend of PAS leaders showing any deep interest for Datukship which required Mohamad (Sabu)'s chiding," added Sanusi. While Mat Sabu's criticisms had drawn praise from Johor PAS Youth, which urged party members to be more brave and "innovative" in pointing out any mistakes by party leadership, Sanusi however suggested that Mat Sabu would not have been elected had he given the interview prior to the recently held party polls. ROYAL OR FEUDAL? ... Mat Sabu says jostling for royal awards is a revival of feudal culture Sanusi however admitted that some grassroots party members had been dissatisfied that many of the recipients still included UMNO and BN leaders. "To me, Mohamad should instead target his criticism to them, not to the leadership. Having said that, I appreciate that this is part of the cultural values we inherit from history, because we are born and bred in Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy. "They do not understand the Cuban, Chinese, Russian, Libyan or Iranian culture. Penang and DAP, which according to Mohamad should be emulated, does not have Sultan or Palace which shapes the values and culture of the people," said Sanusi, referring to Mat Sabu's call on PAS to take a leaf out of the DAP administration in Penang. 'Penang has no land, forests' Sanusi also denied that logging contracts had been awarded to people close to PAS, adding that although some of these companies belonged to PAS members, they had been in business "for many years, long before the state administration changed hands, because they offered the best price," he added. He said the present Kedah state government had managed to increase logging revenue by multiple folds, from RM9.5 million during BN's rule to RM53 million last year. "The Penang state government and DAP which Mohamad calls to emulate have no forest or logging, because the state is a concrete jungle," he remarked. Likewise, Sanusi said Penang had a shortage of land and as such, Penang could not offer an example in land administration matters. Sanusi however said he appreciated Mat Sabu's frankness which was to ensure the party's struggle remained on track. "I respect and hold in high esteem Mohamad's courage and 'drive' to lead the party as the deputy president and for wanting the party to continue its advance and be admired by the people," he said. "However, wouldn't it be good if Mohamad got a true picture from the PAS leadership in Kedah or Kelantan through his close contacts, similar to what he has done with the Penang leadership," Sanusi said, adding that "open criticisms" would be "more sweet" if voiced out during meetings with PAS leaders.