PAS vice-president Husam Musa says he does not believe that his colleagues in Kelantan PAS had conspired to get him off the Kelantan executive council, nor that the sultan has anything do with it.

In a press conference to pacify his supporters last night, Husam said that as Muslims, one's struggles must be for the religion and for God, and not for positions or selfish reasons.

He, however, added that he is "a little hurt ( sedikit terguris )" that he was not formally informed that he had been dropped.

"I must record that I am a little hurt as my friends did not inform me... If a liaison committee meeting was called and I attended, and a new line-up can be presented and we can give our support, so no explanation will need to be sought because it was arranged well," he said.

NONE Husam ( right in photo ), who is the Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner, added that Islam has a tradition of consensus when it comes to selecting a leader, starting after the death of the prophet, and ignoring it could cause supporters' distress and conspiracy theories.

"But I believe my friends do not have an agenda against me... We have slept under the same blanket, so I don't believe they would rip up my blanket. I don't accuse them and I do not believe it; I cannot accept it.

"And do not blame the sultan. The sultan is a fair person, so don't link him. If my name is not in the list, don't put the blame on the Tuanku... If you don't want to appoint me, then don't, don't blame the sultan of this and that," he said in a recording of the press conference uploaded to his Facebook page.

He was likely responding to a text message alert by Utusan Malaysia , quoting new Menteri Besar Ahmad Yaakob as saying that Husam was dropped because Sultan Muhammad V did not consent to the matter.

200 demonstrate to support Husam

Despite Husam's bid to "calm (his) supporters", eyewitnesses claim that some 200 people had demonstrated in front of the state secretariat building to show solidarity with the ousted leader.

Eyewitness Mohd Zulhazmi Hassan told Malaysiakini that the demonstration lasted about two hours - starting from 9am today - and appeared to be an impromptu gathering without any speeches or banners.

"I believe this was a people's movement," he said.

Zulhazmi - who is part of the movement to demand oil royalty for Kelantan - said he was only there to observe the incident, noting that most who demonstrated were tahfiz (Quranic studies students) and farmers.

The demonstration took place although Husam had last night issued a statement for his supporters to remain calm.

Additional reporting by Salhan K Ahmad.