PAS vice-president and Salor assemblyperson Husam Musa said today his absence at yesterday's swearing-in ceremony for the Kelantan state assemblypersons was because he was abroad.

"I have informed (the speaker) that I will not be attending the state assembly sitting from May 22 because I would be overseas," he told Malaysiakini in a text message.

NONE Husam ( left ) said he performed his umrah from May 26 until June 9, followed by an official programme overseas, from June 13 until June 20, and that the arrangements had been made even before the notice of the state assembly sitting was issued.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Mustapa Mohamed (Ayer Lanas assemblyperson) and state executive councillor (exco) Che Abdullah Che Mat Nawi (Wakaf Baru assemblyperson) had also permission sought to be asbent.

Meanwhile, New Straits Times reported that Husam chided Kelantan PAS elected representatives and leaders for staying away from the Ketereh leg of the Black 505 rally.

"If there is a (PAS) leader who is a discordant voice opposing this gathering, I am convinced that he is carrying the voice of Umno into PAS, PKR and DAP," he was quoted as saying.

The daily said that while he did not mention names, Husam told the gathering that a newly-elected PAS parliamentarian had played a role in the absence of PAS Kelantan leaders last night.

"There is someone from PAS who just won a parliamentary seat and we want to see how well he carries himself when its meeting starts later," NST quotes Husam as saying.

"Outside Parliament, he looks extraordinary. But now the people will scrutinise (him in Parliament) as they have given their votes not in the name of the individual but to our political struggles."

Other PAS leaders reported present last night were Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob and PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu.

No official invite

Commenting on the event after the swearing-in ceremony, Kelantan deputy MB Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said that Kelantan PAS leaders did not receive an official invitation for the event, but that did not stop any of them or members from attending.

Mohd Amar that he had received a call inviting him, but a prior arrangement prevented him from attending.

PAS deputy secretary-general Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi had earlier stressed that the nationwide Black 505 rallies are endorsed by PAS and agreed upon by the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council.

Husam, who is Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner II, was dropped from the exco list without his knowledge purportedly after he fell out of favour with the palace.

However, he has asked that the palace not be dragged into the matter and that those who had sought for him to be removed to just own up to it.

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