Call for Hasan Ali’s sacking came from deep within Pas

The call for Hasan Ali’s sacking came from deep within Pas, say sources within the party.

Contrary to what Zulkifli Noordin is reported as saying (that PKR’s Azmin Ali had a big say in getting Hasan Ali dismissed within 24 hours) and what Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim alludes to (“A major victory for DAP”), grassroots Pas members themselves had registered their displeasure over Hasan to their party leadership.

When contacted, Tasik Gelugor Pas information chief Abdul Rahman Kasim said, “Only a couple of days ago, I sent an sms to Mat Sabu and Mujahid (Yusuf Rawa) requesting that a show-cause letter be issued to Hasan Ali” and if he didn’t reply within 21 days for sterner action to be taken.

“He (Hasan) was creating a lot of rifts in the Selangor government.”

“I believe there were a couple of others too within the party who made similar calls (for action to be taken against Hasan).”

Pas central committee member Mujahid said the party had two ways of taking action. One way was through a show-cause letter. “But there is another provision which allows the party to dismiss a member immediately if it is felt that the member’s actions jeopardise the interests of the party.”

He added that the party had gone through all the procedures but the last straw came after the Selangor exco member ‘apologised’ recently but then repeated his actions. (On 27 December 2011, Hasan was reported to have ‘apologised’ at a meeting with the party’s top leaders, including Hadi Awang and Nik Aziz, in Kota Bharu. “It is not easy for a person to admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. So, his action has moved me,” Nik Aziz had said.)

When asked how strong Hasan’s following within the party is, Mujahid replied, “Pas members take a serious view of members who go against the instructions of the president.” Hasan’s sacking would have some impact, but it would not be serious as “the party has experience in dismissing other leaders such as Asri” but without any serious repercussions.

The former Pas president Mohd Asri quit the party in 1983 after his membership was suspended by the party’s disciplinary committee, which coincidentally was headed by Mujahid’s father, Yusof Rawa.