Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa claims that his party is straying from Islamic principles for political expediency.

In an interview with Berita Minggu , the weekend edition of Berita Harian , Nasharudin said PAS should be consistent with Islam and not sideline its position which is based on the Quran and the Hadiths.

In a likely reference to the party's decision to sideline its hudud agenda for its election campaigns, Nasharudin said the party should not be changing terminologies which can cause confusion.

"Politics is coloured by perception and this must be dealt with in detail. The perception among those outside PAS is that the party is loosening up on certain issues. This is dangerous," he said.

He said Islam allows for a level of flexibility when it comes to politics, but the pillars of the faith should not be compromised.

Culture of secrecy gone

Nashrudin also alludes to the growth of a new culture within PAS, in which party meetings are no longer kept to the confines of four walls.

hasan ali umno pas selangor talk quality hotel 300708 05 "Now, just five minutes after a central committee meeting, all information would be leaked because many will talk about what was discussed," he said.

He said this was not appropriate because there are some matters which requires secrecy, citing the example of how his and Hasan Ali's ( left ) candidacy in the next general election became an issue.

"Why are those who are not in the central leadership making statements which have caused so many questions being raised when the matter is to be decided by the party president?

"In fact, the president (Abdul Hadi Awang) was shocked when there were statements (being made) on who is a candidate and who would be dropped.

"This has left PAS open to criticism, including from the party members," said the three term party deputy president.

Nasharudin wants to see unity

Recently, the Selangor PAS leadership had confirmed that its former state chief Hasan Ali had not received enough nominations at the branch level for him to be nominated as a candidate to defend his Gombak Setia state legislative assembly seat.

NONE Following this, PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali ( right ) alleged that Hasan and Nashrudin were both sowing discord within the party.

The duo were heavily backed by Utusan Malaysia during the run up to the party polls in June for their alleged inclination towards forming an alliance between PAS and Umno.

Meanwhile, Nasharudin told Berita Harian that his focus was on forging unity among Malays and Muslims because they form the majority in the country.

"The stability of the country depends on the bangsa teras (core race) without sidelining the interests of others who have contributed to this country," he said.

He concluded the interview by stating that he has not made a decision whether to seek re-election for the Bachok parliamentary seat and stressed that regardless of the party's decision whether to field him, he will remain a loyal PAS member.