Penang has denied sidelining PAS in the state as allegedly claimed by state Dewan Ulama delegate Mohd Hanif Harun during the wing's annual muktamar in Gombak yesterday.

State executive councillor on Islamic affairs Abdul Malik Kassim asked Mohd Hanif to explain what he meant by PAS being sidelined when the party had been given more posts than it deserved in Penang.

“They have been given more posts than they deserve under the leadership of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng,” Malik told Malaysiakini .

As such, Malik said Mohd Hanif’s labelling of the Penang government as 'sidelining' PAS was 'unacceptable'.

According to Malik, PAS leaders have been appointed to posts in various sectors in the state including the two local municipal councils (MBPP and MPSP), the Penang Islamic Council (Maipp) as well as Village Security and Development (JKKK) committees as well as mosque committees.

Although PAS has only one state seat in Penang, its assemblyman Salleh Man was nevertheless appointed as chairperson of Maipp.

It is learnt that posts for PAS leaders in the MBPP and MPSP has also been increased 50 percent (from only one post in 2008 to two posts after the 2013 national polls) and PAS leaders also hold 50 percent of the JKKK committee members posts in many constituencies.

PAS members are also appointed as coordinators in the five constituencies which the party contested in the last polls but failed to win.

'Puasa' warning

“Mohd Hanif should be clear and rational when making such claims,” Malik said. “Don’t just play to the gallery and do not lie just because you want to be popular at the muktamar,” Malik added.

"We would like Mohd Hanif to tell us how much more should PAS be given (so as to not consider itself  not sidelined)," queried Malik who is PKR Batu Maung assemblyman.

Meanwhile, at a press conference earlier, Malik said the Penang Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAIPP) has identified 50 hotspots to be monitored closely during Ramadhan which officially starts on June 18.

These hotspots are to be wtached as they have proven to be popular in the past with Muslims who refuse to fast.

“For those who cannot fast for some reason or another, please do not eat in public or behave in a disrespectful way towards the fasting month  in public,” Malik warned.

Malik said stern action would be taken against both Muslims who consume food in public during Ramadhan as well as outlets who serve them food.

Malik also announced the Penang Ramadan Bazaar festival which will be launched by the Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam on June 15.

He said the state government will also handing over between RM1,000  and RM5,000 to 217 mosque committees in the state in conjunction with Ramadan celebrations.