I'm still in PAS, admits new Umno MT member

Umno's appointment of Mohammad Kazim Elias as its new supreme council member has left the party red-faced after the religious scholar admitted that he is a PAS member.

"Yes, I am a PAS member and I have never left PAS even though there were rumours that I had been sacked.

"I never received any dismissal letter nor was I called by the disciplinary committee to be sacked," he was quoted in a video recording by Agenda Daily of his press conference last night.

However, Mohammad Kazim (left) had no kind words for his party, saying that PAS should be embarrassed for sidelining him while Umno was willing to invite an "outsider" into its top leadership.

Mohammad Kazim who is a prominent religious speaker was thought to have been apolitical and his appointment by Umno president Najib Abdul Razak appear to have been an attempt to make the party more inclusive.

However, Perak PAS Youth chief Raja Ahmad Iskandar Al-Hiss yesterday revealed that Mohammad Kazim has been a PAS member since 1998.

In the press conference, Mohammad Kazim admitted that he was a total outsider to Umno but praised the party for its willingness to take him in.

"I am from outside Umno and I am not from among them, I have never been involved with Umno.

"But Najib is still willing to consider this (my appointment) and I am pleased with the invitation," he said.

However, Mohammad Kazim said he is undecided about accepting the appointment and will meet Najib to outline a few conditions before taking up the position.