Although it is widely speculated that PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa was among the ‘problematic' leaders mentioned by spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, he has denied it.

According to opposition boycott batu talam election pc 110107 nasharuddin Nasharuddin (right), the allegation does not refer to him as he was elected to the number two post by the delegates in the previous muktamar (annual general meeting) with an ‘overwhelming majority'.

"I have been elected as a deputy president with an overwhelming majority so the members speak for themselves, the muktamar result speaks for itself," he told the press Parliament lobby.

However, Nasharuddin did not directly answer when a reporter asked him whether he was ‘shocked' when his name was mentioned as one of the ‘problematic' leaders.

Instead, he said that it is normal for the top leaders and the spiritual leader especially to give them advice.

"He (Nik Aziz) also always warns us on some issues and so on. It so happened that this particular issue (came from) advice written by him in his blog which had created a big (commotion).

"But when he presented (his reasons) on what he meant in his blog, it was discussed by (the) whole central committee. (That is how) we came to the conclusion made by the president last night," he said.

Last week, Nik Aziz had suggested that an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) be held to obtain consensus from the grassroots on certain issues that continue to haunt the party.

These include the status of leaders described as "problematic", which named party president Abdul Hadi Awang, Nasharuddin secretary-general Mustafa Ali and Selangor commissioner Hasan Ali who were before this known to be supporting unity talks with rivals Umno.

Nik Aziz ‘not disappointed'

At a separate press conference, PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub brushed aside suggestions that Nik Aziz was disappointed with the central committee's decision last night to have a seminar instead of an EGM.

NONE "That is not true. The decision to have a seminar was agreed to by Nik Aziz (right) last night.

"The question of him being disappointed with the decision does not arise because we have made a unanimous decision to have a seminar to strengthen the party," he said.

In a related development, Salahuddin said the seminar would be held on November 7 at their command centre, Taman Melewar from 9am to 6pm.

1020 delegates from all over the country will attend the one-day seminar, which will be made open to the public, added Salahuddin.

"We will also have a forum with outsiders who are capable to give their views on PAS. This will allow the party to be open to other people's views on our performance and our future in the party," he added.

The outsiders, he added, include academicians like Professor Abdul Aziz Bari, NGOs and other personalities.

"The seminar will also bury all the perceptions claiming that PAS is not serious or not interested in Pakatan's struggle. We want to show to the people that we are still with Pakatan," he stressed.