Ulama chief omits 'don't change MB' from speech
MUKTAMAR In the copies of acting PAS Dewan Ulama chief Ahmad Yaakob's speech distributed to the media, it was mentioned that the wing feels there is "no need" to change Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
MUKTAMAR In the copies of acting PAS Dewan Ulama chief Ahmad Yaakob's speech distributed to the media, it was mentioned that the wing feels there is "no need" to change Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
But when Ahmad, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, took the podium, he chose to omit that part.
"The Dewan Ulama feels that the change of MB is not necessary and that the current MB must be retained because Islam stresses on the burden of proof for the person making allegations.
"As long as it is not proven, the accused should be treated as someone innocent," read the prepared text.
These remark were reported by several news portals, including PAS’ mouthpiece Harakahdaily .
However, Ahmad later clarified that he did not mean it literally.
"I did not even say it just now (during the speech). He (Khalid) was sacked from the party so there is nothing we can ask of him.
"I was only giving an example of decision-making using Islamic principles. It is not to say the Ulama wing wants Khalid to stay.
"This does not arise, it is no longer relevant," he was quoted by Harakahdaily as saying during the winding up speech.
'Kajang Move' waste of assets
In the prepared text, the Kelantan PAS commissioner also said the influential party wing did not agree with the resignation of former Kajang assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh for the "Kajang Move" early this year.
He said this is because Islam did not allow wasting "the country’s assets" by forcing an unnecessary by-election.
He added that the wing supported party president Abdul Hadi Awang’s stand in the MB crisis.
“This is because he had taken Islamic considerations and made a decision even though faced with pressure from various parties,” he said.
He also said that any agreement to appoint a new leader should be based on qualifications and abilities, as that is something that would be questioned in the afterlife.
Separately at the PAS Youth muktamar, Selangor delegate Hanafi Zulkapli also supported Khalid, describing him as a menteri besar with "integrity".
He challenged anyone who thought otherwise to stand up but none of the delegates did.
"Who agrees that Khalid has loss his integrity, raise your hands, this is the best time to do so.
"There is no need for any more discussions or dialogue, this is the muktamar, which delegate thinks Khalid has lost integrity?" he declared.
A triumphant looking Hanafi then said the silence showed that none believed Khalid should be replaced as menteri besar.
He reiterated that from the beginning, all 22 Selangor PAS divisions were already opposed to replacing Khalid.
Khalid has expressed his intention to resign after 30 out of 56 Selangor assemblypersons declared support for PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as MB.
The Selangor sultan, however, asked Khalid to put his resignation on hold until a replacement is found.
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