Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said all posts in the state government left vacant by PAS will be filled by Malays.

"We have many Malays who are qualified so there is no problem in filling the posts," Lim said at a press conference in George Town today.

"We will fill the posts with other Malays who are not from PAS, I hope this is clear".

Lim said former PAS deputy president Mohamed Sabu has yet to submit his resignation letter but has communicated his intention to vacate the post as board director of the Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang and Penang Halal Hub.

"Lets see if others will do the same. I find it strange that the PAS muktamar can pass a resolution to sever ties with DAP but not direct their members to resign from all state posts in Penang," Lim said.

"It is not tenable to hold such posts in the state government anymore, as I am the chief minister and I also hold the highest post in DAP, that as secretary-general," he added.

Waiting for go-ahead

PAS members in Penang are not resigning from their posts yet as the Ulama wing information chief Mohd Khairuddin Amam Razali said they had to wait for the go-ahead by the PAS leadership.

Mohd Khairuddin explained what was passed by the 61st muktamar was merely the decision to leave it to the PAS leadership to decide on whether to sever ties with DAP.

Meanwhile, Lim heaped praised on Mohamed, better known as Mat Sabu ( photo ), saying he resigned from his post as he is "a man of principles".

Lim said Mat Sabu had suffered detention many times by BN and Umno, yet has held steadfast to his principles.

"I truly understand and respect him for his decision to give up his post for the sake of the party," Lim said.

He expressed sadness in seeing Mat Sabu resign but said he understood as Mat Sabu was loyal to his party although he may personally disagree with the decision of the muktamar.

Lim mused the decision to sever ties with DAP was the preferred option of those who supported the notion of a "unity government" with Umno.

He added that principled leaders like Mat Sabu were rarely seen in PAS, as up to now, no one had followed in his footsteps to vacate their posts in various entities in Penang.

In Penang, PAS members hold more than 100 posts in the two local councils, state agencies and state government-linked companies, village development and security and mosque committees.

PAS' sole Permatang Pasir assemblyman in Penang, Salleh Man, holds the powerful post of president in the Majlis Agama Islam Pulau Pinang.

"For Mat Sabu, principles are more important than holding posts.

"This is the first test to the new PAS leadership: which is more important - principles or posts," he declared.