At least four new state commissioners are expected to be named when the PAS central working committee decides tonight on who stays and who goes, said party sources.

Sources revealed that some of the appointments could prove controversial, following internal disputes between factions in certain states where members have expressed dissatisfaction with the leaders.

"Changes are expected in Federal Territory and Johor, since the leaders there have openly expressed their wish to retire. Those changes will not be controversial because many members are keen to see younger replacements," said a politician from Selangor.

"However, there will be some controversy in states like Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Kedah (led by Dr Hassan Ali, Dr Rosly Yaakob and Azizan Abdul Razak respectively) where grouses against the commissioners are rampant."

He said that, while Hassan and Rosly are still popular among members with a professional background as well as the youth, they have failed to keep the respect of the old guard and ulama (religious scholars) factions.

"As for Azizan, well, he is just the opposite. The old guard wants him to remain although he is old and in poor health, but the youths think it's time that he is replaced."

Party treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli confirmed that there will be changes, but declined to elaborate on this.

"There will be four or five states that will change leadership. But don't ask me which states. The central committee will deliberate on the issue and make its final decision tonight. You should just wait until then," was all he would say.

Trouble brewing

Another politician from Terengganu said the leaders will have tough time weighing the complaints against the respective leaders before coming to a decision.

"Some of the complaints are valid and some are not. If the appointments are not done properly, there will be trouble. As it is, trouble is brewing in Selangor because of a memorandum to the party president (Abdul Hadi Awang) asking him not to re-appoint Dr Hassan."

A party worker from Petaling Jaya revealed that the two-page memorandum dated June 8 was submitted to Abdul Hadi the same day, listing several reasons why Hassan should not be re-appointed. He is already one of the three vice-presidents of the party.

A copy of the memorandum, which was made available to malaysiakini , revealed the signatures of eight division heads, a Muslimat (women's wing) leader and a leader representing the state's ulama wing.

Among their allegations was that Hassan had failed to earn their co-operation - as a result, about half of the 22 division heads had refused to attend the state's liaison meeting. This was also because their views had allegedly been overlooked repeatedly.

They claimed that Hassan was involved in creating disunity during the state Muslimat elections last month, when Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan regained her post as chief by just two votes.

Asked to comment on the memorandum today, state liaison secretary Norman Taha said many members were upset with the submission of the document.

He said the allegations were untrue and slanderous and that he would meet Abdul Hadi and several other party leaders this evening to explain the real situation.

"Some of the division leaders who signed the document were confronted by their committee members but said they had signed it in their personal capacity. They also admitted that they were induced to do so by a few leaders who have always disliked Dr Hassan," he claimed.

"I want to tell Abdul Hadi that these are the same people who had initially objected to Dr Hassan's appointment two years ago. They were the ones who were reluctant to co-operate with Dr Hassan."

Hear all views

He stressed that his meeting with Abdul Hadi was not to lobby for the re-appointment of Hassan, and that he is prepared to co-operate with anyone deemed appropriate by the leaders.

"Of course we will accept whoever the leadership has chosen. But we do not want the decision to be based on allegations that have no truth."

He said it was only fair that the president hears the views of all sides, especially when Hassan's appointment was made through a democratic process.

"When the party wanted to appoint Dr Hassan two years ago, the same people had objected. So, ustaz Hadi met 50 division leaders to discuss this. When compromise could not be reached, a vote was taken and the results favoured Dr Hassan," Norman added.

PAS usually reviews its list of state commissioners after every party election, and gives the president the discretion to appoint, re-appoint or remove leaders for a two-year term.