THE move to replace Iskandar Samad as Selangor PAS commissioner is the precursor to the party splitting with Pakatan Harapan in Selangor, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said.

He said new commissioner Sallehan Muhyi could now direct Selangor PAS to conclusively cut ties with PH.

“There was a fear that Iskandar as a state exco might be reluctant to move ahead with the split,” Khalid, who is Amanah’s communications director, told The Malaysian Insight.

“The menteri besar must handle this issue firmly,” Khalid added.

Iskandar retained his PAS vice-president’s post just a week ago, but was removed as state chief days later.

Also removed from the PAS working committee was long-time elections director Mustafa Ali.

Iskandar and Mustafa are said to favour working with other opposition parties and this did not go down well with PAS leaders.

At its 63^rd muktamar in Alor Star a week ago, PAS approved a proposal to cut ties with PKR but left it to the Syura Council to implement the decision.

Soon after, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in an interview with Utusan Malaysia did not deny the possibility of a change in the Selangor government.

Khalid said Sallehan’s appointment could be seen as a move by Hadi to exclude those who had links with PKR, DAP and Amanah.

“Iskandar, as a state exco, needed to have a cordial relationship with leaders of these parties.

“Maybe this is why Hadi did not trust Iskandar as much as he does Sallehan,” Khalid added.

He said he saw nothing wrong in Iskandar and the other exco members from PAS sitting at the same table and working with the menteri besar (Azmin Ali) who is from Keadilan.

“Sallehan is just an assemblyman and may not have such a positive attitude,” Khalid said.

The announcement to remove Iskandar and Mustafa was made by general secretary Takiyuddin Hassan after PAS’ central committee meeting yesterday.

Asked why Iskandar was dropped, Takiyuddin said the vice-president’s position is more senior than a state chief.

“Sallehan will be able to focus on Selangor better as he’s not an exco,” said Takiyuddin.

Mustafa was seen as one of few PAS senior leaders constantly in touch with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Azmin.

PAS also moved ulama Husin Awang to lead Terengganu instead of Satiful Bahri Mamat. – May 7, 2017.