Husam Musa is welcome to join his former comrades in PAS who are now with Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) if he decides to leave PAS.

Amanah secretary-general Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir said today the Salor assemblyperson's membership will be a good catch for any political party.

"Husam will be a big asset for any party. We at Amanah are praying that Husam will join us. Amanah is willing to accept him.

"Now, if a Kancil car can't fit, we will be ready with a big lorry," Anuar said.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has confirmed that the party has called up Husam to explain his claim that party president Abdul Hadi Awang had wanted to work with Umno to establish a unity government in Selangor.

Husam will have to appear before the hearing to be chaired by Hadi on Nov 24.

However, the former PAS vice-president has said he has not received any notice and asked for the hearing against him to be postponed as he is currently overseas.

Previously, Dewan Ulama chief Mahfodz Mohamed was reported to have asked Husam to leave the party after the former vice-president made his allegation against Hadi.

Mahfodz had also said Husam would be more suitable in Amanah as the latter's heart is no longer with PAS.

Important task

Anuar said that while Amanah is not able to promise Husam any party position, any leader who is willing to join will be given an important task.

“Even without any positions in the party, Husam will have the right to criticise and offer his views. In fact, the party’s leadership is ready to accept his criticisms,” he said.

Husam had previously served as a senior executive councillor in Kelantan under the administration of the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

His star status, however, dimmed after the menteri besar's position was taken over by Ahmad Yaakob.

Husam now remains as Salor assemblyperson.

In the last party elections, he contested for the deputy presidency and lost, along with other progressives from the party who are now with Amanah.

Anuar, meanwhile, urged that the proposed debate between Husam and PAS election director Mustafa Ali be revived.

“As a believer in democracy, such debates should be encouraged. Don’t just make allegations on social media. It is better to have a face-off,” he said in response to PAS’ gag order against organising an open debate or dialogue on issues involving the party’s internal affairs.

Internal channels

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan yesterday advised all quarters, especially those who had made accusations against the party and its leaders, to resolve their disputes through internal channels.

Husam and Mustafa had previously agreed to publicly discuss allegations that Hadi had plotted to form a unity government with Umno in Selangor last year.

On a separate matter, Anuar said that Amanah is ready to fill vacant positions in local councils in Penang with its representatives, if entrusted to do so.

“I believe (Amanah vice-president) Dr Mujahid (Yusuf Rawa) has prepared a list of potential candidates for the posts,” said Anuar.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister Rashid Hasnon had reportedly said that all PAS local council representatives in Penang have been sacked and they would be replaced by Amanah members, as the new partner for DAP and PKR.

Rashid said the decision involved 293 local council representatives and each council comprises 15 members.