Reading the malaysiakini report about PAS ulama and their move to sack PAS secretary-general has led me to believe that they are moving towards the right direction but for the wrong reason.

As a former worker with PAS, I know that PAS has a culture of not discussing internal problems outside the party circle. But the issue(s) with Nasharuddin have been hidden for so long and hidden so well, that even some PAS top brass are not aware of the level of discontent towards him.

I believe the current PAS secretary-general should not be sacked for his close relationship with the so-called professionals. There is nothing wrong with being close to any group so long as one fulfils one's responsibilities fully.

The real reason why he should be replaced is because he is not professional enough to continue to hold such an important post. Many have realised this problem. Even members of the Dewan Harian (the party's national-level top administrative committee) have tried to replace him.

But until now he enjoys the protection of the party president. This should stop if PAS wants to move forward. PAS is now the biggest opposition party in Malaysia (based on number of members). If they really want to rule Malaysia, and if they really want to unseat Barisan Nasional, they must ensure that their management and administrative functions are second to none.

Without good internal management, PAS should not even think about ruling the country. Unfortunately, there is little that can be said about PAS' internal management system. In fact, one can even argue that there is no such thing as an internal management system within PAS. Internally, everything is done on an ad hoc basis and everything is sub-standard.

As the head of PAS' administration, Nasharuddin is the one to blame. He has failed to professionally manage PAS' internal machinery to the standard befitting a main opposition party. While not disclosing unnecessary things, let me give just two examples.

PAS currently employs quite a number of full-time workers. But Nasharuddin has failed to properly manage human resources within PAS' administrative machinery and even basic things like pay procedures are not properly catered for.

Their salaries are still paid in cash. There are no benefits. There are no EPF contributions. And don't even mention things like medical insurance, allowances etc. The secretary-general must take responsibility. He must stop exploiting the religious commitment of these university graduates and start treating them like proper employees.

Another problem with the current secretary-general is his love of travelling. Surely, a party secretary-general should spend more time in the office, sorting out internal party matters. But Nasharuddin spends a lot of time outside, travelling abroad, at the expense of his actual job. He is clearly unable to multi-task effectively.

I personally feel that he should have resigned as party secretary-general as soon as he was named as a candidate to contest the 1999 general election. This would have resolved a lot of internal administrative problems.

The article mentioned that he is good with the media. Perhaps this is a good quality but is it a necessary quality for secretary-general? A person who is good with the media should be appointed as information chief or the like. Not as secretary-general.

I am not trying to bad-mouth Nasharuddin but I do feel it is important to act based on the right reasons. PAS Federal Territory is right to pass a motion to replace Nasharuddin but they should not do it because of Nasharuddin's relationship with the professionals in PAS.

Instead, he should be sacked because of his unprofessional attitude and incompetency as party secretary-general.

But having said all the above, I still feel that Nasharudin should stay on as a PAS central committee member. He can contribute in other ways but not as the secretary-general.