Nice try 'second bird' Hasan Ali but the one who coveted MB Khalid's post was you - PKR

Self-described 'second bird' Hasan Ali is trying all ways and mean to wriggle free from the puritanical Islamic spotlight that he claims to represent by accusing PKR deputy president Azmin Ali of coveting the Selangor Mentri Besar's post to deflect an expos'e that he had spent RM850,000 of state funds on frivolous items, such as re-decorating his office for RM300,000.

“It is likely true that the mentri besar is the first bird and Hasan Ali is the second,” Hasan told a press conference at his home held to respond to the allegations made by Azmin last week.

News that he had splurged RM300,000 to renovate his office and RM550,000 for a Selangor Malay Customs and Heritage Corp (Padat) conference had sent a gasp around the state's Muslim community.

Although extravagance has always been a hallmark of the previous Umno-BN administration, Hasan had been expected to set a better example as a senior PAS leader. Indeed, the Islamist party is known for its frugal ways and prudent life style versus Umno's endemic corruption and wild spending sprees.

Covetous

Hasan was sacked from PAS earlier this year for going against the party line and criticizing his own division leaders such Abdul Rani and Khalid Hasan.

However the Umno media has tried to link his sacking to PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim, in a bid to rouse hatred for the Opposition Leader. But the fact is, Hasan has a long track record of unease with other PAS leaders, especially after it was revealed that he had tried to form a unity government with Umno in 2008 so that he could become the Mentri Besar.

The plan was overwhelmingly rejected by PAS members and led to his being dropped as the Selangor state commissioner in 2011. From bad, Hasan went to worse, venting his spleen on his party colleagues, taking part in raids with the Umno-controlled JAIS or Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department, and making unsubstantiated accusations against the Christians that they were going to mosques in a bid to convert Muslims to Christianity.

In the end, he was sacked from PAS and also removed as the executive councilor in charge of Islamic Affairs. Hasan has since formed an NGO called Jati, which he says is devoted to Islam and the Malay Rulers. It is believed that Jati is funded by Umno and represents the 'religion' prong in Umno's double-barrelled drive to get the Malays to vote for it. The other prong is 'racial supremacy', which is under the care of Perkasa.

"Of course, Hasan is simply shooting his mouth off. He had shocked the Muslims in Selangor when they learned he spent RM300,000 just on his office. How many hungry mouths can that feed. And while Hasan talks about the other exco members spending more than him, he has not give an iota of evidence unlike Azmin," PKR vice president Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Even his politics smell of bad faith. Look at how he accuses Azmin of wanting to be MB when he himself was willing to sell out his PAS colleagues to form a unity government with Umno. The bomb he spent on redecorating his office also shows how high the ambitions he holds - his office must be nicer than Khalid's. Yet he has the cheek to accuse Azmin, when he himself covets what belongs to others."

Malaysia Chronicle