Wise to have MB lead Islamic portfolio: Hadi

PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang has hailed the decision by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to take over the state’s Islamic portfolio following a minor restructuring of Exco duties on January 18.

Saying the decision was 'molek', the east-cost slang for 'nice', Hadi said it would streamline administration matters involving religious bodies and the Selangor Sultan in the latter's capacity as state head of religion.

“Khalid being the person closest to the Sultan and who meets the him most frequently, it is nice that he takes over the post,” Hadi told Harakahdaily.

His comments are believed to be in response to suggestions by a section of UMNO leaders that by not giving the portfolio on Islam to PAS, the party had been sidelined in the state's administration.

This was followed by several PAS leaders saying that it was UMNO's policy of isolating Islam from other fields which led them to question the decision.

Following the removal of PAS's Hasan Ali as state Exco in charge of Islamic Affairs, PAS's Sijangkang assemblyman Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi was appointed to fill up the Islamic party's quota in the Exco line-up.

Yunus was made in charge of Malay Culture, Youth and Sports, while Khalid took over the portfolio for Islamic Affairs, Infrastructure and Public Amenities, a post which previously included Malay Culture, when it was headed by Hasan. Khalid's assistant is PAS's Bangi state assemblyman Dr Shafie Abu Bakar.

“PAS still plays a big role when Menteri Besar appoints Bangi assemblyman Dr Shafie from PAS as his assistant," said Hadi, adding that the importance of Shafie's role paled in comparison with the question of who leads the portfolio.

-Harakahdaily