Former Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali today apologised for his criticism of the party's welfare state concept and retracted his statement over the matter.

"As a PAS member and central committee member,  I admit there were elements of excessiveness when I commented on the matter.

"I hereby retract my comments about the welfare state. I apologise to the leadership for my excesses."

Hasan ali pc Hasan ( left ) had previously lashed out at non-ulamas within PAS and accused the party of deviating from its Islamic struggle.

At a press conference on Tuesday, he said the non-ulamas were “more inclined to adopt accommodating politics” which he claimed were “sacrificing the principles of the party's struggle”.

He said this has caused the party to shift from its 'Islamic state' stand to one of a ‘unity government’ and eventually to the current 'welfare state'.

"In my view, PAS does not need to implement a welfare state because this has been done in Sweden, Europe, the US and Australia. Secular (leaders) can do it," he said at the time.

He was subsequently ticked off by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and spiritual advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Hasan, in a press conference held at his residence this morning backtracked, stating that the welfare state platform has already been decided at party's muktamar and endorsed by the Syura council, and he will abide by it.

"But I have to voice out the view of a large section of PAS supporters about the technical details - not policy - about the welfare state.”

'Islamic state' still better than 'welfare state'

Hasan acknowledged that "perhaps" the essence of an Islamic state and welfare state are similar but called for the two to be scrutinised if they are truly the same in terms of content, arguments and presentation.

The embattled PAS leader added that he personally preferred that the term "Islamic state" over "welfare state".

"During former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's time, the government wanted to remove the word 'Islam' from the names of political and social organisations.

"But PAS fought tooth and nail to defend its use and eventually the monarchy decided that it can be used.

"So if we love the word 'Islam' so much, personally, it would be fitting to use the term 'Islamic state' rather than 'welfare state'."

He added that his views were not solely his, claiming they were reflective of a segment within PAS and society at large whom he said perceived PAS as straying from its original struggle.

"This perhaps is due to the accomodative approach by PAS towards component parties (in Pakatan Rakyat) for the sake of capturing Putrajaya together.

"Many have expressed concern that this will be used as a weapon by PAS' political enemies to attack PAS in the coming general election," said Hasan.