The Malaysian Insider

By Neville Spykerman

SHAH ALAM, Sept 26 — Datuk Dr Hasan Ali's string of controversies with his Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) colleagues, now rocking the fragile coalition, has prompted PAS's powerful central committee to ask him to explain himself.

PAS central committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said they intend to haul the Selangor PAS commissioner before the party’s central working committee so he can explain his repeated open attacks on his PR allies.

“I’ve spoken to most of the other central committee members and we are of the view he has gone too far,” the Kuala Selangor MP told The Malaysian Insider.

The latest controversy was ignited when Hasan lashed out at the select committee for competency, accountability and transparency (Selcat) for “bullying” civil servants during a public inquiry into the misuse of millions of ringgit in state allocations by Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen for campaigning during the general election last year.

The state government watchdog has been grilling district officers, who are responsible for ensuring the annual allocations are disbursed according to regulations, to explain why the funds were almost completely used up by most BN lawmakers in the first two months of last year.

Hasan’s remarks in the press were seen as an open attack on Selcat and the Selangor legislature which established the watchdog to check abuses in the state administration.

Previously, Hasan clashed with PR colleagues over the sale of beer at convenience outlets and a plan to empower mosque committee members and workers to prevent vice in the state. The Selangor sultan has also asked Hasan to explain himself as religion is under royal purview.

The executive councillor has come under pressure from within his own party and from other PR lawmakers to resign from the state administration if he cannot be a “team player”.

In retaliation, PAS state liaison committee secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman on Thursday released a controversial statement which claimed the party was fully behind Hasan and was considering pulling out of PR in Selangor.

However, Selangor PAS lawmakers have collectively denied this. They added the matter was never even brought up in the state liaison committee and Mohd Khairuddin had no business making such a statement.

Dzulkefly said Mohd Khairuddin will also be hauled up to explain his actions.

He said both men were playing into the hand of BN and this cannot be tolerated.

“A clear message must be sent to all PR leaders that such actions are not acceptable,” said the PAS chief strategist.

Dzulkefly said it was too premature for him to comment on whether both men would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.

However, he said one way or another both men would be dealt with by the party.

“Fortunately our PR partners have been remarkably restrained and are leaving this matter for PAS to resolve internally,” Dzulkefly added.

But Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim last night described the latest controversy as a miscommunication and will chair a meeting on Monday to resolve the festering issue.

Describing the issue as “one of miscommunication between the parties”, Khalid said the matter would be addressed internally.

He added that during the meeting he would allow everyone to raise concerns and clarifications on the matter.

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