PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan today said that the party was open to criticism and that they should be honestly evaluated.

NONE "If the criticism has basis and clear arguments, then we should accept and be thankful for them as it allows us to improve ourselves," he said in a statement today.

This comes after PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar ( left ) earned brickbats from PAS grassroots leaders after his veiled criticism of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for issuing appointment letters to PAS candidates in PKR constituencies during the 13th general election, and slandering their candidates.

Abdul Hadi ( below ) had said that PAS forced three-corner fights against PKR in certain areas, in order to "save" Pakatan Rakyat as their ally had supposedly fielded drug pushers ( pil kuda ) and communists.

Meanwhile, Nasrudin said that while the party accepts criticism, it doesn't mean that the party should take it silently, but should respond accordingly instead.

"What's more if a criticism is made openly, it could create prejudice and influence public perception, therefore like it or not, response to the criticism is needed to clear things up.

NONE "For example, when all kinds of baseless accusations are made against the PAS president, it is the responsibility of PAS leaders and members to clarify and defend (him)," he said.

As such, he said the exchange of statements between PAS and PKR did not mean that they were breaking up, and that this has been a norm in PAS and Pakatan Rakyat.

"I thank those who pay attention to PAS and for their willingness to criticise PAS and its leaders.

"Indirectly, they have become agents to make PAS stronger and more mature with their criticism and reprimand," he said.