Kelantan PAS in crisis over Husam

An early resolution is not likely, given the huge support that the Nik Aziz protégé commands.

KOTA BARU: Kelantan PAS is embroiled in an internal strife more serious than any that it has seen in recent years, and it revolves around Husam Musa’s exclusion from the new state executive council.

Husam, who won the state seat of Salor in Sunday’s election, found himself the odd man out upon returning from Putrajaya, the parliamentary seat he failed to wrest from Umno despite recording huge momentum drives.

He told a press conference he was kept out of a state party meeting to finalise the exco list.

“I am disappointed but I will not let it get to me,” he said. “My mission as a servant of Islam is not over. I will continue to remain relevant.”

According to Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob, Husam’s name was on the list submitted to the Sultan of Kelantan but the ruler struck it out.

Ahmad’s statement appeared to confirm speculation that Husam had had a falling out with the palace.

Husam rejected the reasoning, saying the sultan was a kind, fair and honest person and should not be dragged into politics.

However, an early resolution to the issue seems unlikely, given that Husam, a party vice-president at the national level, has thousands of supporters across the country.

One pro-Husam group has held a press conference to condemn what has happened to their leader and another has staged a protest outside the state government’s complex of offices.

It is learnt that another group plans to meet the PAS central leadership over the issue.

Husam’s supporters say that the 54-year-old economist is too young to be sidelined. Their anxiety is compounded by the non-committal stance taken by his mentor, PAS spiritual adviser and former menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Husam himself seems to have ruled out returning to the state government, but he said his role as a political leader was still in Kelantan.

He said he had a duty to his constituents in Salor and would offer advice to the state government.

It is learnt that his advisers are suggesting that the new administration should create the post of Second Deputy Menteri Besar for him. But this is a dicey idea, especially if he is indeed in the sultan’s bad books.

Kelantan Umno is watching developments closely.

Its secretary, Md Alwi Che Ahmad, said PAS was now in deep crisis and had only itself to blame for allowing Nik Abdul Aziz to overstay.

It will be interesting to see how PAS will cope with this new challenge, especially now that Nik Abdul Aziz is practically out of the picture.