TV PAKATAN RAKYAT

SHAH ALAM, Dec 5 - Selangor Pas chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali admitted today that he had some disagreements with Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad who was dropped from the state Islamist party committee last month along with Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib. Khalid who was the state party deputy chief was replaced by Hulu Langat MP Dr Che Rosli Che Mat. While Roslan Shahir took over the position of state party information chief from Saari.

The expulsion of the two leaders raised speculation that the Islamist party was cleansing the party of the pro-Anwar faction, popularly known as the Erdogans. "I believe the committee should be as perfect as possible, and members must have similar views. But it is not always that Khalid disagrees with us," Hassan told reporters at a specially arranged press conference also attended by the other two Selangor exco members from the party. He also said that Khalid has been in the state committee for a very long time and he believed that it was the best time to strengthen the party by appointing Rosli to the position.

"The reshuffle would provide the space to every leader especially elected representatives in Selangor to concentrate and to be fully committed to their job and responsibility," said Hassan adding that the decision to reshuffle the state party committee was accepted unanimously. At the same press conference Hasan also denied that the party had intended to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state, but merely asked for existing laws, which prohibits the selling of alcohol to Muslims, to be enforced.

He added that the Chinese press had misreported the issue and in the process ended up portraying Selangor Pas as a party that does not respect the state's racial and religious diversity. Hasan also emphasised the party's commitment to the Selangor state government and denied that Pas was being sidelined in the administration.

"But at the same time, as an Islamist movement, Pas is responsible to give ideas, views and advise on matters related to the future of Islam and the Malays apart from other common issues that involve all races and religions," said Hasan.