Sultan Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin's uncle has quit PAS, saying he no longer supports the party's struggle.

Tengku Sri Paduka Raja Tengku Ibrahim, who has been a PAS member for six years, is disappointed with the rejection of the progressive elements in the last party polls.

“I am saddened by PAS’ internal political turmoil. I believe the direction of the party is no longer conducive for me to stay on even as a normal member,” he said in his statement.

When contacted later, Tengku Ibrahim told Malaysiakini that the professionals faction in PAS make up about 30 percent of the party.

“We see that those who were not elected in the recent PAS elections had spoken up a lot in parliament but were cast aside just like that.

“(To me) it is disappointing and wrong. Any party would have to share (the leadership). The leadership will then be strong. We want both (the ulama and the professional factions),” he added.

Tengku Ibrahim is also the uncle of PAS Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah.

However, Tengku Ibrahim said his decision was not related to the Kuala Terengganu PAS' decision to sever ties with Raja Kamarul on Saturday.

“No, no, I have made up my mind before this. It is not because of Raja Bahrin,” Tengku Ibrahim said when asked.

Raja Kamarul is the Gerakan Harapan Baru's Terengganu chief. The group is a PAS splinter group that aims to form a new political party.

'Traitor' label

According to a statement by Kuala Terengganu PAS secretary Mohd Soud Mat Ali yesterday, the decision was made following Raja Kamarul Bahrin’s announcement on July 31 that he would head GHB in the state.

Meanwhile, Raja Kamarul ( photo ) speculated that Kuala Terengganu PAS’ move to cut ties with him was an act of sabotage.

He said the meeting where the decision was made was held the night before he was holding a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house.

“I was also shocked when they had their meeting at 9.30pm and then the orders were ‘viral-ed’ that very same night.

“The next day I have an open house where all PAS members are barred from attending. It is as though they want to foil my Hari Raya celebrations.

“At 9.30pm, the announcement was made […] can’t wait until the next morning. They had to announce it at that very moment,” he said when contacted.

He also lamented that action had been taken against him but not other GHB members and that banners that read ' Raja Bahrin pengkhianat (Raja Bahrin a traitor)' have been displayed.

“You have one treatment in Terengganu, another treatment in the rest of Malaysia.

“Why is such special treatment being given to me? I am being selectively prosecuted. Is it because I am the first in Terengganu?” he asked.

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