PAS has terminated the services of Zulkifli Sulong as editor-in chief of the party's official organ Harakah , effective next month.

Zulkifli said he received a letter from the publication's managing director Hishamuddin Yahya today informing him that starting Oct 1, he would be the editor of Harakah's online version, HarakahDaily .

Since its inception two years ago, Zulkifli has been overseeing the online version as well. Prior to this, HarakahDaily did not have any specific editors.

Commenting on his termination, Zulkifli said he did not feel bitter towards anyone as such negative sentiments would serve no purpose.

"After all, I am just a party worker and therefore I abide by the party's decision. I will give my best to the online version just as I did while working for the paper," he added when contacted.

He also said the transfer order did not come as a surprise since rumours on restructuring the paper has been circulating since August.

Nothing odd

Previously, malaysiakini reported that a faction within PAS was unhappy with the editorial direction of Harakah and had planned to call for the resignations of Zulkifli and Hishamuddin during the party's recent annual meet.

However, apart from PAS Federal Territory's call for a more transparent financial management within the fortnightly publication, no calls for resignations were made.

Meanwhile, Hishamuddin said Zulkifli will be replaced by former Utusan Malaysia deputy group editor, Suhaimi Mokhtar.

He said there was nothing odd about the transfer as such managerial decisions are common in any news organisation.

"This is a decision made by party leaders in the supreme body ( Dewan Harian ). They just told me that they wanted a change.

"They said they wanted to revitalise the paper and felt that there was a need for new blood," he said when contacted.

"As the managing editor I never had problems with him. It's the party's decision and I have to convey it," he added.

Nothing to say

However, Hishamuddin refused to comment if complaints by any party leader had been the catalyst behind the transfer.

Party leaders also remained tightlipped on the issue.

PAS vice-president Mustapha Ali, who also chairs the Harakah board of directors, declined to comment.

While another vice-president and board member, Azizan Abdul Razak, referred the matter back to Hishamuddin.

"I am only one of the members of the board. What I know of this matter is very little. Sometimes I go to the (board) meeting, sometimes I don't.

"It's better that Hishamuddin makes the statement since he is there all the time," he said.

Zulkifli has been with Harakah since 1986. In 1998, he was made group editor before being promoted to editor-in-chief in 2001, taking over from Mustapha.