MOHD Khairuddin Aman Razali has denied that his failure to defend his seat on the PAS central committee is due to his alleged role in a move to topple party president Abdul Hadi Awang.

The Kuala Nerus MP said he accepts the decision of party delegates and sees his defeat as part and parcel of the democratic process.

“There is no connection; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose… what is important is that I keep working hard.

“Losing a party position is not a big deal for party members,” he told reporters on the sidelines of PAS’ 67th muktamar (general assembly) in Kuala Terengganu today.

Other party members who are seen to favour a partnership with Umno, like Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, also faced defeat.

Both men lost their central committee posts after failing to emerge among the top 18 voted candidates. Two others who failed to retain their positions are Sallehen Mukhyi and Mokhtar Senik.

Geng Ustaz’s (the pro-Umno camp) defeat is the ultimate show of rejection by local-level PAS delegates and members.

The 2021-2023 PAS central committee election was held yesterday, while selection committee chairman Mohd Nurkhuzaini Ab Rahman announced the results today.

Khairuddin, who is former plantation industries and commodities minister, has been linked to a leaked audio clip of him allegedly criticising Hadi.

Khairuddin, popularly known as at-Takiri, had allegedly raised concerns about the party president’s stance on the issue of seat negotiations in the recording.

A source said the circulation of the clip has caused Geng Ustaz to fare badly against the pro-Perikatan Nasional (PN) camp in every area and division, including the Youth and Women wings’ polls last week.

The Malaysian Insight had yesterday reported that this muktamar will witness a clash between the pro-PN and pro-Umno factions.

On the leaked audio clip, Khairuddin claimed that it is done by his opponents who wanted to take advantage of the situation.

“Well, it is normal for opponents to exploit the situation to their favour, but we in PAS shall not entertain such tactics or any kind of slander.”

Nik Abduh has also accepted the outcome of the party polls, saying that he is not upset with the delegates.

This defeat is a blessing in disguise as it has reduced the burden of responsibility placed on him by the party previously, he added. – November 7, 2021.