In the interest of having a smooth general election, opposition party PAS today said it will cease its virulent calls for Election Commission chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman to step down.

The quit call arose after it was revealed that Abdul Rashid had agreed to hire Puteri Umno members as part-time workers to help out during the upcoming elections. However, this has now been aborted.

Speaking at a press conference after meeting Abdul Rashid at his office in Putrajaya, PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali said the Muslim-based party has decided to accept the EC chief's explanation on the matter.

"I can't say that we are totally satisfied with his explanation. Even Tan Sri (Rashid) himself was not happy with our demand (for him to resign).

"But we have decided to do it this way because we want the elections to run smoothly. So even if we are not satisfied, we will tolerate it for the time being," he added.

Yesterday, Abdul Rashid told malaysiakini that he agreed to hire Puteri Umno members following a request from the wing's chief Azalina Othman Said to take on board several "jobless women".

Memo submitted

This morning, four PAS leaders submitted a memorandum to the Rulers' Council urging the body - which appointed Abdul Rashid on the advice of the government - to pressure the EC chief to quit.

Asked to comment on this, Mustafa said the memorandum was sent by another delegation, who were unaware of what had transpired at the meeting in Putrajaya which ended at late this afternoon.

"So the team that met the rulers did not know of our decision (to let the matter rest). As to the status of the memorandum, we have to wait and see before we can make a decision," he explained.

The hiring of Puteri Umno members was first raised by former Youth chief Mahfuz Omar in Parliament in June. Last week, he distributed copies of 'leaked' letters between Azalina and the commission's top officials.

The letters also contained handwritten notes from Abdul Rashid and commission secretary Wan Ahmad Omar.

At last week's PAS Muktamar (annual general assembly), delegates passed a resolution accused the commission of favouring Umno and demanded the resignation of the duo.

Asked about Abdul Rashid's explanation, Mustafa said the EC chief verified the authenticity of the letters but claimed he had never meant for the matter to be handled in such a manner.

"He explained that it was a mistake made by one of his officers. He took responsibility for the mistake so we agreed to rest the matter for now. Further he has assured us that no Puteri Umno members were to be recruited," he added.

On whether the resolution calling for the resignations will be withdrawn, the PAS leader said: "The issue is whether to proceed with the resolution, and not whether we should withdraw it. As I said repeatedly, we both agreed to rest the matter."

'Technical mistake'

At a separate press conference, Abdul Rashid said he bore no ill-feelings towards PAS for raising the issue since the party had the right to do so.

"Although it was a mistake by the secretariat, I still take responsibility. Anyone can come and tell me if I have done wrong. If they can show that I have breached my duty that deems me unfit to sit in the (EC) chair, I will not hesitate to go," he stressed.

He reiterated that the fiasco stemmed from a "technical mistake".

Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid also confirmed that a police report was lodged on the leaking of the 'secret' letters but stressed that it does not implicate PAS.

"That is between EC and its staff because it involves a breach of confidentiality," he said.

The report was lodged by Wan Ahmad.