Selangor PAS is satisfied that its freshly-minted exco member Ahmad Yunus Hairi has taken over the youth and sports portfolio, even though it was at the expense of the Islamic affairs portfolio.

This, said Selangor PAS deputy commissioner Khalid Samad today, would enable  the party to expand its support base among youths, especially in an election period.

“Even though we do not hold (Islamic affairs) it does not affect us, the general election is within three to four months... The youth and sports exco post gives us space to boost PAS’ support base,” he said at a press conference in Shah Alam this morning.

NONELast Wednesday, PAS’ Sijangkang assemblyperson Ahmad Yunus (centre in photo) was appointed Selangor exco member, filling the vacancy left by the sacking  of state PAS commissioner Hasan Ali from the party.

However, Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim moved to swap the Islamic affairs portfolio, previously hel by Hasan, with his own Youth and Sports portfolio.

Meanwhile, Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman, strongly tipped for the exco position, denied that he had been slighted, stressing that his objective was to focus on the general election.

“If I had been slighted I would not have attended (Ahmad’s) swearing-in ceremony, but I did,” he said.

‘PAS machinery unaffected’

Khalid said Selangor PAS intends to win all 20 state seats that it will be contesting under Abdul Rani’s leadership.

He said that while the party focused on its preparations for the polls, he was confident that the menteri besar would still consult PAS on Islamic matters.

Meanwhile, Selangor PAS secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman said he has received reassurance from the ground that the party’s machinery remains unaffected with Hasan’s departure.

“I have received reports from 22 divisions and they have said that they are unaffected by the sacking... PAS is stable and we are prepared for the elections,” he said.

Hasan had claimed that the portfolio swap was evidence that the menteri besar had lost confidence in PAS in handling Islamic affairs.

However, Khalid reiterated that the swap was due to time constraints for the new exco member to learn the bureaucratic process that comes along with the Islamic affairs portfolio before a looming general election.


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