The PAS is against the 'divorce oath' as as form of pledging loyalty like what its Shah Alam MP did as it is not right and goes against party directive.

Speaking to reporters today, Mustafa Ali said that the divorce oath did not receive the party's blessing, however, nothing much can be done about it as the event has already passed.

Mustafa was commenting on the bai'ah (loyalty oath) taken by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad prior to the 2008 general election, pledging to divorce his wife if he ever quits PAS.

He also said that he felt the oath taken by Khalid degrades women, but the party respects Khalid's personal decision.

"(A person's decision to quit the party) is out of the control of the wife. The wife may not even know...so this is wrong," he said.

He said that no disciplinary action will be taken, even though he admitted that the issue had resulted in negative public perception about the party.

"We have issued a reminder to Khalid, saying that what's done is done, but never to repeat this in future," he said.

djz english teaching conference 080707 khalid samad On the lack of action against Khalid ( left ), he said: "He is still learning...Khalid has his ways and is a very confident person, just like his brother (Umno MP, Shahrir Samad)."

He further said that loyalty oaths are common in the party as all PAS electoral candidates are required to take a standard loyalty oath before standing for elections.

However, Khalid is "an isolated case" as he was the only one who had added the element of divorce.

"I have investigated all states and found that everyone had used the standard text for their loyalty oaths.

But Selangor is a little different, as two people have admitted to using different types of oath," he said.

Mustafa stressed, however, that he did not ask for the specific content of the oaths as they are private, between the individual and God.

He also declined to disclose the name of the other person who used a different oath, but when pressed he said that it is not controversial Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali.

Loyalty oaths a must in Malaysian politics

Mustafa also read out his own loyalty oath, which he said is the party's standard text and been around at least since he first contested under PAS in 1974.

The oath reads:

"I, Mustafa Ali, who has been entrusted by PAS to compete in the 12 th General Eection for the position of state assemblyperson of Alur Limbat, hereby swear in Allah's name that I will not betray the party's struggle, whether or not I win the elections. If I do, I will be scorned by Allah and His angels."

He explained that "the party's struggle" means "Islamic struggle". Mustafa added that taking a loyalty oath is a necessity in Malaysian politics.

NONE "All parties in Malaysia fear that their candidates will not remain loyal to the party...as there are still people trying to buy others over," said Mustafa ( right ).

The loyalty oath taken by PAS candidates is an alternative to what he claims is Barisan Nasional's practice of insisting that its candidates sign an undated resignation letter.

"We are an Islamic party so we are using our Islamic traditions, to show we are loyal to our party and cannot be bought over."

On a different matter, Mustafa also commented on PKR leader, Zaid Ibrahim's blog entry today, which called for PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat to be Pakatan Rakyat chairman.

"Zaid is free to express his opinions, but all matters regarding Pakatan Rakyat's leadership will be decided collectively (by all party leaders)," he said.