The Barisan Nasional (BN)-led Terengganu government's decision to terminate the employment of non-political appointees may lead to administrative glitches, warned PAS leaders today.

Party vice-president Mustafa Ali said it was "immature" of BN to sack contract workers -including several directors heading state foundations - simply because they were employed by the former PAS government.

"Why do they have to act in such haste when these are the people who are in the know in administration? It is clear that they will be reviewing all PAS policies but how can they do so effectively when all those who administer the policies have been sacked?" he asked when contacted.

"In the end, it is the people of Terengganu who will suffer, not BN leaders."

BN recaptured the state in the recently concluded general election by winning 28 of the 32 state seats. PAS had won the state with a commanding majority in the 1999 polls.

Merit-based appointments

Mustafa also pointed out that many of the high-ranking officers given the boot were appointed based on merit and their qualifications.

"They held no political posts in PAS. Yes, they co-operated with the PAS government while it was in power...so I guess they have been punished for just doing their duty. They (BN) are taking their revenge against us at the expense of the people," he said.

He said one of the more "severe actions" was the sacking en masse of some 400 staff of the Unit Pembangunan Insan and its director Ismail Osman.

Mustafa complained that even village heads, imam and religious scholars have not been not spared in the witch-hunt.

"When we took over in 1999 we did not sack even a single imam although 70 percent were hired by the BN. They continued their services until their contract ended...some had their contracts renewed," he said.

Among the high-ranking officers sacked since BN resumed power were Syariah court chief judge

Dr Abdullah Abu Bakar, deputy state mufti Zainal Abidin Ahmad and Sultan Zainal Abidin Islamic College director Assoc Prof. Anuar Zainal Abidin.

Also fired were Yayasan Terengganu director Yusof Tahir, Yayasan Islam Terengganu director Omar Sidik and Yayasan Pembangunan Keluarga director Muhamad Deraman.

All of them were sacked two days prior to Umno Terengganu chief Idris Jusoh being sworn in as menteri besar on March 25.

Later that day, the MB announced the abolition of the People's Consultative Committee introduced by PAS.

He said a special committee would review state government officers and staff who had outwardly supported PAS but promised there will be no indiscriminate sacking.

Teachers targetted

Meanwhile, PAS central committee member Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi said he was concerned about the fate of teachers in Sekolah Menengah Agama Sains Terengganu and Sekolah Rendah Agama Bersepadu.

"The teachers have been given verbal notice that their services may be terminated. They are very unhappy as their students are faring well in their studies," he said.

"Parents have expressed their concern as well as most are happy with their children's development especially those in Sekolah Menengah Agama Sains which was established after the federal government closed two MARA Junior Science Colleges."

Commenting on this, Mustafa said there was little that PAS could do to help the teachers.

"Their fate lies in the hands of BN. We'll see if they can act fairly but I don't think anyone should harbour much hope," he added.