If Husam Musa was once a PAS asset, it’s safe to say that he is no longer considered one today due to his increasing criticisms against the party.

The Salor assemblyperson, nonetheless, believes that it is a matter of principles for him to stand his ground.

He told Malaysiakini this in Kota Bharu when asked for his views regarding the future of the Islamist party.

“I’m just a small person, so what can I hope for? But in a democracy, even an ant has a role to play.... So I try to play my role as much as I can,” said the former PAS vice-president.

Regardless of positions in the party, Husam said he still holds firm to what he calls the principles of struggle.

“I have no problem whether the country thinks I am an asset or that I’m not one.

“As long as I am alive, what is needed is (to fight) to improve the country’s direction or even a particular state’s.

“Because in the end, a state or a country that is administered well will bring benefit to the people.

A corrupted country, he said, will lead to multiple splits, racism and animosity.

“So the job of every rakyat, no matter how ‘small’ or ‘big’ you are, whether you are an asset or otherwise, is to improve the country’s direction,” he said.

​No public statements​

Husam has been increasingly vocal against his party, claiming last month that party president Abdul Hadi Awang had admitted to PAS approaching Umno to form a unity government in Selangor.

In addition, Husam also claimed that the Kelantan government was responsible for illegal logging activities in the state's forest reserves.

On Nov 19, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party central leaders had called up Husam to explain the allegations he made against Abdul Hadi and the PAS-led Kelantan government.

Following the meeting at PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, the party instructed him not to issue any more statements on the party's internal matters or the Kelantan administration.

"We agreed that internal party matters and the state administration should be discussed through the party platform and through proper channels, instead of spreading it publicly," PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said.

Husam had in the past declared that he would remain loyal to the Islamist party despite calls for him to leave over his open criticisms of Abdul Hadi and join splinter party Parti Amanah Malaysia, which is formed by a number of disgruntled PAS leaders.