Ministers are not lecturers, PAS leader tells critics of party's ministers

PAS central committee member Nasrudin Hassan has hit out at critics of the party's ministers and deputy ministers, pointing out that there was no need for their academic credentials to correspond with their portfolios.

In a statement, the Temerloh MP said the party is open to criticisms but urged the public to allow time for PAS representatives in government to prove their worth.

"It is highly illogical when the attacks against them were launched on the first day of their appointment, even before they had a chance to enter their offices," he said.

Nasrudin claimed that since critics have no grounds to question the number of appointees from PAS, they moved on to compare the leaders' credentials with their respective duties. 

PAS has three ministers and five deputy ministers in the government of 71 members.

"A minister is not a lecturer in a university whose duty is based on their field of study.

"Instead, they are leaders who are carrying out their party's stand to develop the nation and its people, while upholding the federal constitution and sovereignty of the law," said the Temerloh MP.

In turn, Nasrudin said the party has a duty to monitor and ensure the performance of their representatives who have been appointed as ministers and deputy ministers.

Aside from the law-making process which will be guided by constitutional provisions, Nasrudin pointed out that implementation of any new laws or policies will be carried out by a team of experts within the respective ministries.

"Therefore, as an example, there can always be someone with a background in dakwah and leadership who becomes the environment minister.

"Just like some from a medical background who became the prime minister or others ministers," he said.

Among others, he said a minister must possess several criteria, including to have faith in Allah SWT, to be free of corruption or abuse of power and to possess the charisma and ability to learn new skills as needed.

Following its new pact with Perikatan Nasional, PAS currently has three ministers and five deputy ministers in Putrajaya.

- Mkini