PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin said the party had rushed to sack three backbenchers for supporting a no-confidence motion against former Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli, who was ousted last month.
Shukri was a former Perlis PAS commissioner, who led the Islamist party to a historic victory in the last state election, where they swept nine out of the 15 seats.
The remaining five state seats went to its ally - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia and one to the ruling national coalition leader - Pakatan Harapan (PH) through PKR.
But last month, three PAS assemblymen sided with the five PAS backbenchers, including Shukri's successor, Kuala Perlis assemblyman Abu Bakar Hamzah, to force Shukri to resign from his post.
Shukri is also related to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, as his son is married to the latter's daughter.
Now, in his first public remarks, Hashim said that PAS may have rushed in making a decision over the matter, reported Mingguan Malaysia.
He said that PAS failed to toe the party guidelines by not referring to the highest decision - making body - the Syura Council before they sacked the three assemblymen, who are now classified as Independents.
Hashim said that he did not oppose the punishment imposed by the PAS central working committee, but felt the decision was made hastily.
The council would convene soon to deliberate on the appeals submitted by the three former assemblymen — Ridzuan Hashim (Guar Sanji), Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (Bintong) and Saad Seman (Chuping).
Abu Bakar has since invited the three to be part of the newly sworn-in state government to consolidate PN's hold on the state, which only has three districts.
“The issue was previously raised briefly at an earlier session, and an upcoming meeting will discuss it more thoroughly and reach a decision,” said Hashim.
Any disciplinary action would reflect Islamic wisdom and an educational approach when judging wrongdoing, Hashim said, referring to a verse in the Quran to underscore his argument.
PAS deputy secretary-general Syahir Sulaiman earlier said the trio’s termination of membership was final due to a clause in the party’s constitution passed at last year’s muktamar.
He said the clause stipulates that any termination of a PAS lawmaker’s membership is considered final. - January 25, 2026.
