Former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said today that he has yet to be officially notified by the party’s syura council (top decision making body) that he has been dropped as a member of it.

“I only came to know about this through the media and not through official party channels,” he said in an SMS to Bernama.

Nasharuddin, who is also Bachok MP, said membership to the council was by appointment and that the party reserved the right to drop him.

He added that the development would in no way sway him from championing the cause of Islam.

Media reports had quoted the council’s secretary Nik Muhamad Zawawi as saying that Nasharuddin was dropped from the council on Jan 13 for allegedly going against party rules, but did not reveal what his offences were.

He was reported as being part of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s delegation during a humanitarian visit to Gaza on Jan 22.

In August last year, Nasharuddin also accompanied the prime minister to meet Saudi Arabian ulama in Mecca in conjunction with a meeting of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

In KOTA BARU, PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the dropping of Nasharuddin from the council was a normal matter akin to couples divorcing.

“What is so unusual about this? Couples also divorce. Football associations also sack people. Coaches also get sacked,” he said when met at this residence in Pulau Melaka today.

Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, added that to his knowledge, Nasharuddin’s name was also not on PAS’ candidates list for the upcoming general election.

- Bernama