While former Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali has openly criticised that the party has deviated by introducing the welfare state concept, many quarters within PAS have been quick in defending the party's policies.

It appears that Hasan has now been isolated by the party and is facing fire for his remarks.

Even PAS Youth Nasruddin Hassan, who had defended Hasan last week, seems to have cut off his ties by lashing out on those who are against the welfare state concept. 

pas muktamar 130610 nasruddin hassan 1 Although Nasruddin (left) did not name Hasan directly, he commented that the welfare state concept as presented in the party president's policy speech was unanimously accepted by the members.

“It has become a party policy and it should be defended by all leaders and members. There should not be anyone questioning it as it was agreed upon in the annual muktamar held last June,” he said.

“The concept of a welfare state is a manifestation of a state mentioned in the holy Quran (a welfare state which receives the blessings and forgiveness from God),” he said.

Nasruddin said it is founded on the principles of justice and welfare in all aspects of administration, according to Islam.

“Based on this concept, there should not be any doubts over the welfare state as it is in line with PAS struggle. It is not a deviation. PAS Youth will defend the welfare state concept.”

Dancing to the Umno's tune

Yesterday, Hasan criticised the party alleging, among others, that the non-ulama are taking the Islamist party off course and shifting its key 'Islamic state' policy to one of 'unity government' and now 'welfare state'.

Despite the criticisms, Hasan said he is loyal to PAS and would not leave the party.

NONE Even party secretary-general Mustafa Ali (right) , who has had close ties with Hasan and his 'pro-unity government' faction, has now attacked the Selangor exco member saying that the well-known motivator is now "dancing to the tune of Umno".

PAS legal advisor and central committee member Mohd Hanipa Maidin, meanwhile, has described Hasan's remarks as "betrayal". Nowhere have the professionals undermined the ulama, he said.

“Even the first PAS president was a professional but the party has not deviated from the path underlined in the constitution, and that is to respect the ulama and its views on Islam.

NONE “I also would like to question why he did not object to the welfare state concept when it was brought out. There was not a single word or sentence uttered by Hasan then. Why bring up the issue now,” he told Malaysiakini .

Hanipa (left) , also a political bureau member, added that Hasan’s remarks were reflected only by a minority and do not account for the majority of PAS members.

"I am sad that Hasan after all these years in PAS had not learnt to adhere to what has been decided by muktamar and syura ,” he said.

Earlier, Mahfuz described Hasan's remarks were akin to "declaring war on PAS".

Bringing benefit to all beings

Party information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man in defending the party said anyone who questions the policy would be seen as questioning the syura council, the muktamar and the party’s standing.

Saying it should not have happened, he describes the newly introduced welfare state concept as a PAS paradigm shift in line with the current reality where the party is more open to interpret Islam as ‘rahmatal lil alamin’ (bringing benefit to all beings).

The former academic said the change in PAS is bringing fear to its opponents, and they have begun attacking the party claiming that it had deviated from its policies and struggles.

NONE “Their motive is clear, it is to prevent PAS from expanding as they want the party to be seen as backward and not progressive. As members, we could explain this and not dance to our opposition’s tune to hit us back in questioning the party’s struggle,” Tuan Ibrahim (right) said.

PAS Muslimat information chief, Aiman Athirah Al Jundi, also condemned Hasan for questioning the welfare state concept and promoting Umno's stand.

"Why has he played the issue of 3Rs - religion, race and royalty - which is a well-known strategy and weapon employed by Umno.

"Questioning the welfare state concept is akin to not respecting the president and delegates who had unanimously accepted it at the muktamar ,” she said.

It is learnt the party's political bureau will meet tonight where among others, Hasan's and former deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa’s recent remarks will be discussed.

Mustafa is also scheduled to hold a press conference on this matter tomorrow morning.

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