Advertisement

PAS moves to ease tension with Penang, appoints Mat Sabu as commissioner

Campur tangan Istana Johor cemar sistem Raja Berperlembagaan, kata PAS

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, or Mat Sabu, has been appointed PAS Penang commissioner, in what is believed to be a move to quell tensions between the state’s grassroots leaders and the DAP-dominated state government.

Mat Sabu, who hails from Penang, enjoys strong ties with Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, as both shared the same cell when they were detained under the Internal Security Act following Operasi Lalang in 1987.

Mat Sabu will replace Permatang Pasir assemblyperson Datuk Mohd Salleh Man.

PAS grassroots leaders in Penang last month wanted the party to pull out of the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government, claiming the state administration had discriminated against PAS in appointing local councillors.

The issue was also brought up at the party's annual general assembly last month, but dismissed by the senior leadership, who said PAS was actually grateful to the Penang government.

At a press conference today, PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali Mohamad alluded to Mat Sabu's experience as a veteran leader in Penang and his senior position in PAS and Pakatan Rakyat as among the reasons for his appointment.

"We believe that Mohamad will help manage our relationship with Pakatan Rakyat. His position in the party will also help our organisation in the state."

It is said that the closeness between Mat Sabu and Lim continued after both were released and has been important in strengthening relations between PAS and DAP.

Mat Sabu also enjoys a close relationship with other Pakatan senior leaders in Parti Keadilan Rakyat and has been instrumental in organising joint campaigns with Pakatan parties and non-governmental organisations, such as the mammoth Himpunan Rakyat in Kuala Lumpur before the 13th general election.

Mustafa attempted to play down the strained relationship between Penang PAS and the state government as being the reason for Mast Sabu's appointment. He characterised the appointment as a "restructuring exercise".

On a related matter, Mustafa announced that the party has appointed former central committee member Asmuwi Alwi as its new treasurer.

The party also appointed three assistant secretaries-general. They are Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil and Raja Ahmad Iskandar Raja Ahmad Yaakob. – December 17, 2013.