PKR Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said PAS never had an issue when their former Kelantan menteri besar had in the past appointed him to a state post, even though he was not a PAS member.

According to Sinar Harian today, Saifuddin said PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat had at one time appointed him to head the state government-linked company (GLC) Tabung Amanah Tok Kenali.

This, said Saifuddin, was despite Nik Aziz being well aware he was a PKR leader.

Therefore, PAS' organ Harakah Daily should not make an issue of him being appointed as Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's strategic adviser, said the PKR leader.

The PAS mouthpiece on Thursday accused the move as being 'dedak' (animal feed), using a term former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had popularised in the latter's attacks against Umno over the past year.

“What Lim did is something that PAS had also done in the past, when they appointed me to hold the post for three years from 2004 to 2007.

“Is it that what Lim has done is 'dedak', but what PAS did at the time is not 'dedak'?

"That is not right,” Saifuddin was reported telling the Malay daily.

He said Nik Aziz had given him the appointment despite him not being a PAS member.

“He appointed me because he felt I had the experience, that I could help the Kelantan GLC and he gave his trust to me,” said Saifuddin.

Yesterday, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon said Saifuddin's appointment as Lim's strategic adviser is to strengthen Malay support for the state government.

"It is strategy and not 'dedak'," he said.