Takiyuddin dares Khairuddin to claim sacking due to Muafakat, PN issue

Takiyuddin dares Khairuddin to claim sacking due to Muafakat, PN issue


Questions have arisen on reasons behind Kuala Nerus MP Khairuddin Aman Razali's sacking from his position as a PAS central committee member.

Despite public perception that the move was linked to Khairuddin's stand on Muafakat Nasional and Perikatan Nasional (PN), a senior PAS leader today came forward to deny the matter.

In fact, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (above) challenged the former minister or any other leaders to state that issues surrounding Muafakat and PN were the reason behind the sacking.

"Will he (Khairuddin) dare to say that it was because of this matter (stand on Muafakat and PN)?

"If he dares, he should make a statement, 'I was sacked because of this (Muafakat and PN)'. If he dares, go ahead," he said during a press conference in Kota Bharu today.

Takiyuddin also said he was well aware of the discussions that had taken place leading up to the central committee's decision on Wednesday.

"I know, I was in the meeting, and it's not about that. There are many others in PAS with dissenting opinions on issues of Muafakat and PN, we are open to all views.

"This is just a problem on administration and party management," he said, stressing that the move was not a sacking but only removal of Khairuddin's appointment to the central leadership.

Takiyuddin said this when asked to comment on rumours surrounding a PAS central committee decision, reached during a meeting which he chaired on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur, to remove Khairuddin from his position as an appointed member.

"I would like to deny claims by any parties who said the action against Khairuddin was due to issues surrounding Muafakat or PN. Absolutely not, I can confirm that.

"Not at all. Although I don't want to reveal the how or why he was dropped, it's in no way related to Muafakat or PN," he added.

'Administrative problem'

PAS' decision to set aside Khairuddin, who in the past was seen as a prominent party leader, had shocked many quarters.

The sacking came less than two months after the former plantation industries and commodities minister was appointed as a central committee member.

The move also followed his removal from the cabinet under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's administration.

Khairuddin in his first statement after the sacking issued a reminder on how Islam made it "obligatory" to pursue unity when commenting on the relationship between his party and Umno.

Meanwhile, Takiyuddin stressed that legal actions can be taken against any party who insisted on linking Khairuddin's removal from PAS' central leadership to his stand on Muafakat and PN.

He said dissenting opinions are common in PAS including on the party's stand on this issue, and so it was not a reason to remove Khairuddin.

Takiyuddin reiterated that Khairuddin was removed on grounds previously implied by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in confirming the matter.

"This is purely a party's administration and management issue," he said.