PAS sacks Hasan Ali, S'gor to name new exco

The PAS central committee today decided to sack the party's former Selangor chief Hasan Ali. 

In a statement today, the party said the decision was arrived after hearing views from central committee members during a meeting today. 

"The decision was made based on Hasan's actions which had violated and cause problems for the party's interest, in accordance to the party's constitution," read the statement. 

The sacking would take effect immediately.

According to the statement, the central committee was acting in accordance with Article 82 (9) of its constitution which allows to take disciplinary action without a disciplinary hearing.

The statement was read out by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang during a press conference today after the central committee meeting at the party president headquarters. [Watch video here]

The decision is expected to have far reaching implications for PAS as Hasan has a sizeable following who subscribe to his policy towards enforcing Islamic laws.

MB's office: Hasan can resign

He is also currently the state cabinet member for Selangor in charge of Islamic affairs. With his sacking from PAS, his removal from the cabinet lineup becomes inevitable.

Late this afternoon, the Selangor menteri besar’s office has confirmed that a nominee for Hasan’s replacement as a state cabinet member would be submitted to the palace on Wednesday.

"All exco appointed members are representatives of the ruling party or parties.

"Hasan himself can resign as he will not represent the ruling party,” said the menteri besar's political secretary Faekah Husin.

In an immediate reaction, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan said the movement supports the decision of the committee but stressed that Hasan can still appeal the decision to the party’s Syura Council.

“As for Hasan, if he is really sincere in his struggle for Islam, he should not leave this struggle (and emulate) Abu Bakar Hamzah who was sacked for making statements which contradicts that of the party.

“(Abu Bakar) did not leave this holy struggle. He took a long break and eventually rejoined PAS during his later days,” he said. 

PKR and DAP blamed

Two MPs who are former PKR members looked at the central committee decision with disdain, claiming that it was motivated by the wishes of Pakatan Rakyat partners PKR and DAP.

Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin wrote on Twitter that the PAS had sacked Hasan because of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

"Baru smlm Azmin desak PAS pecat Hasan Ali krn mmpertikai akhlak Anwar!Tak sampai 24jam Hasan Ali dpecat!Begitu kuat cengkaman Anwr atas PAS!"

(Just yesterday Azmin asked PAS to sack Hasan because he questioned Anwar’s morality. Within 24 hours, Hasan is sacked. Anwar’s grip of PAS is so strong!).

Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim said Hasan’ sacking would lead to the “end of the Islamic struggle” in Selangor.

“A major victory for DAP,” wrote Zahrain on Twitter.

Reporting by Hafiz Yatim, Aidila Razak, Jimadie Shah Othman and Susan Loone.