The PAS central committee wants all 10 executive councillors in Kedah to be retained although the ultimate decision lies with Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, said party secretary-general Mustafa Ali.

pas mustafa ali pc 090609 “The 10 are important for the state’s administration,” said Mustafa ( left ) during an abrupt media conference today.

“There are difference of opinion in the way certain issues were handled... but the these differences can be resolved,” he said.

Yesterday, Azizan is said to have decided to drop Kedah PAS deputy commissioner I Phahrolrazi Zawawi and deputy commissioner II, Ismail Salleh, from the exco line-up for this year.

Phahrolrazi is the exco member for Housing, Local Government, Works, Utilities and Energy while Ismail’s portfolio is Health, Non-Governmental Organisations, Human Capital Development, Science and Innovation and Information and Communications Technology.

Phahrolrazi and Ismail had earlier written to Azizan requesting to not be re-appointed as exco members, supposedly out of frustration over Azizan’s attitude and leadership of the state.

“We are analysing the real situation and collecting feedback from all parties including those in the state’s administration and the state leadership,” said Mustafa.

He said Azizan had spoken of the issue to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang on Feb 17, where the menteri besar had stated that he would reappoint all the current exco members.

Mustafa reiterated that although the selection of exco members lies within the prerogative of the menteri besar, it is “common practice” for the party to be informed on the line-up.

“The central committee will then advice of matters of leadership accordingly,” he said, adding that the party has been so far pleased with Kedah’s administration.

The term of the state’s executive councillors comes to an end on March 7. Azizan has however, said that he will submit the name of eight current exco members to the sultan and deal with the appointment of the other two later.

Salahuddin to go to Kedah tomorrow

PAS vice-president and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub, who was also at the media conference today, will be going to Kedah tomorrow for the swearing-in of eight out of the ten exco members, said Mustafa.

He declined to comment about whether there was a revolt in the ranks, nor on whether there is a movement to oust Azizan from his post.

“The issue whether to retain members of the exco is normal... it is not something that has never happened... but the central committee views the issue seriously and it needs to be addressed immediately,” said Salahuddin.

“We are trying to work out a solution for the problem. Couples have problems all the time but does that mean they will resort to divorce immediately? We are confident that it can be resolved,” he said.

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