Husam denies resignation; MB's son-in-law goes

Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner II Husam Musa today denied a newspaper report that he would relinquish his party post and also as a state executive councillor.

He believed that the report, published in Mingguan Malaysia , was made following his absence at programmes organised in the state.

Husam said he had not been able to attend the functions as he was undergoing treatment for a back pain at a hospital in Kota Baharu and was forced to take leave.

"I'm having a back pain and the doctor wants me to rest and reduce my activities," he said in his blog at cetusan-hati.blogspot.com.

Yesterday Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has also similarly denied that Husam would resign from PAS and the state government.

Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual leader, refuted the same newspaper report that the purported resignation was due to an internal crisis in the party.

"It is yet another attempt to split PAS. I am shocked reading this news although there is a question mark," he said.

The front page report had quoted sources as saying that Husam's wish to resign was not accepted by Nik Aziz, who had instead told him to take a five-day leave to calm his mind.

‘I won't let him go'

Nik Aziz said the report merely quoted a certain blog which claimed that the purported resignation was due to misunderstandings over the running of Kelantan Menteri Besar Corporation, the investment arm of the state government.

"Even if the report is true, I will not allow Husam to quit. The state government still need his services and ideas.

"Husam is involved in negotiations with the federal government over land matters involving Felda, Felcra and off late on oil royalty. Why our people cannot appreciate useful people," said Nik Aziz.

Asked whether Husam had confided his wish to resign from the party and the government, Nik Aziz said:

"No. It had never crossed my mind... (this newspaper) just carried hot news to sell the paper."

"Husam came to see me two days ago to inform me that he was advised to seek treatment for back pain.

"The question of stepping down was never raised by either him or me," he said, adding that he believed the report hurt Husam.

Nik Aziz's son-in-law quits

It has been widely speculated that Husam was unhappy with the recent controversy involving Menteri Besar Incorporated, headed by Nik Aziz's son-in-law Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman.

Abdul Ariffahmi is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Earlier today Abdul Ariffahmi announced that he was resigning from the state body. He is expected to tender his resignation letter to Nik Aziz soon.

Harakahdaily.net reported that Abdul Ariffahmi, who is also the Kelantan Youth wing exco member, was advised by party leaders to step down following the MACC probe.

Only last week Abdul Ariffahmi had denied that Nik Aziz had instructed him to resign.

"I have not resigned and Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) has never asked me to resign. In fact I am working as usual, attending meetings in the morning. Tok Guru had not even directed his special officer to prepare for any announcement," he had said.

[With additional reporting from Bernama]