Ex-Selangor, Malacca religious chief joins PAS

A view of last night’s rally. — Picture by Saw Siow Feng

KOTA BARU, Nov 17 — PAS welcomed former religious department director Datuk Mohd Nahwari Hashim into its ranks last night, adding another key establishment figure to its list of recruits to help bolster the Islamist party’s Malay support ahead of the coming polls.

Mohd Nahwari, who has helmed the Malacca Islamic Religious Department (Jaim) and its Selangor counterpart Jais, submitted his registration form to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang at a mammoth rally in Sultan Mohamad IV Stadium last night.

His entry into the party follows another high-ranking officer in the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Datuk Fauzi Shaari, who joined as a lifetime party member in May this year.

Speaking to Harakahdaily yesterday, Mohd Nahwari said that his desire to join the party was bolstered by what he claimed is the party’s sincerity and the fight for true Islam.

“It’s been a long time since I wanted to join, and today I officially did.

“I am fond of religion, and I can’t run away from it. Those who are fond of religion must choose PAS,” he said.

Earlier last night, 760 ex-army joined PAS under the Secretariat of Ex-Army Welfare Network (Kerabat) led by Lieutenant Colonel (R) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar.

According to Mohd Nazari, Kerabat can potentially reach and convert over a million family members to join PAS, which can rival both groups of Perkasa and Pekida.

PAS has been aggressive in recruiting former civil servants into the party to bolster Malay support for the party with just months left before the general election must be called.

Three former public servants have joined PAS before this, including former diplomatic officer and ex-Deputy Head of Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs, Datuk Ismail Hamzah and former Senior Director of Farmer’s Organisation Authority (LPP), Abd Rahman Taib.

Another of the three was Yusuf Hassan, former Human Resource Director for Jakim and Deputy Secretary for Penang.

In June this year, former Board of Inspectors chief for the Ministry of Education, Ahmad Zabidi Shamsuddin, joined the party by submitting a registration form to PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat during the Himpunan Hijau rally in Perak.

He had served the public for 33 years, with 10 years under his belt in the Ministry of Education as the Education Director for Terengganu and as principal in a number of schools.

Last month, Chief Secretary for the Ministry of Land and Cooperative Development, Prof Datuk Dr Nik Zain Nik Yusof also joined the Islamist party.