PAS has denied a report on the front page of an English language daily today that the party was seeking to replace Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak due to his ill health.

The party’s information chief, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, issued a strong denial that there was such a move as reported by The Star in its article titled ‘Azizan resists PAS leadership’s moves to replace him’.

azlanAccording to Tuan Ibrahim, the matter had never been discussed at the national level, whether in the party’s daily committee meeting or within the political bureau.

“If there had been such an important move as reported, it would definitely be raised at the party’s important meetings,” he said in an statement today.

The Star report today said PAS president Hadi Awang was scheduled to seek an audience with the Sultan of Kedah on the transition.

The article said several names have been proposed as MB and they include three state executive councillors Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi (Pengkalan Kundor), Amiruddin Hamzah (Anak Bukit) and Mohamad Taulan Mat Rasul (Tokai).

Amiruddin and Mohamad Taulan have expressed their surprise at the allegations in the report, while other PAS leaders in Kedah have echoed their suspicion over the article.

Hadi, who is a former Terengganu MB, is expected to meet state leaders in Alor Setar on the matter this weekend.

Although it is confirmed that Hadi would be in Kedah this weekend, he has denied the move to replace Azizan, saying the latter merely needed to rest as he had suffered a heart problem recently.

‘An effort to create divisions’

Tuan Man said PAS considered the report an effort to create divisions between PAS leaders by certain quarters due to the strong unity in the party’s leadership.

He said he expected many more issues to be deliberately highlighted by the ‘enemy’ as the 13th general election is around the corner, highly speculated to be held in November, although it is not due until 2013.

“We expect there to be announcements, such as members quitting the party in droves, and this is a sign that the polls are very near,” he said.

“We urge all party members and supporters of Pakatan Rakyat to obtain information about PAS through official channels so that we do not get trapped in the games our enemies play.”

Later, when met by Bernama, Azizan said he was fine and perfectly capable of discharging his duties.

“Why should there be a need (for an acting menteri besar)? I’m out (of hospital) and am in good health,” he said.

Azizan said if PAS wanted to move a leadership change, it should have done so when he was being treated at the National Heart Institute and not now when he had already recovered.

However, Azizan said, he would abide by any decision of the PAS leadership.

“I didn’t ask to become menteri besar; they asked me to... if they want me to quit, I will do so, even tomorrow,” he said.