PAS No. 2 says he was barred from campaigning — then denies it

By IAN MCINTYRE and NIK NAIZI

KUALA KRAI: PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa issued a denial a few hours after claiming that he was initially barred by Kelantan PAS from campaigning in the Manek Urai state by-election.

He said he was not barred by the party, supposedly over the controversy surrounding him following the “unity talks” with Umno immediately after the party muktamar in May, but was actually advised by his doctors to rest for a few days.

He had undergone minor surgery for an intestinal problem at the Selayang Hospital on Thursday.

Paying homage: Nasharudin kissing Nik Aziz’s hand at Masjid Perial in Perial Baru Saturday.

He said he only informed party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali of his doctor’s advice for him not to get into the thick of things in Manek Urai.

“If there is (such a bar order), I would not be here. I was advised by doctors to take a break for a couple of days following the surgery,” he said.

He also denied any miscommunication between Kelantan PAS and him.

Earlier in the day, Nasharudin had claimed that Kelantan PAS decided a day before the nomination on Monday to bar him from campaigning in the by-election.

However, he said the decision was reversed after the party’s leadership intervened.

Nasharudin claimed that the state party leaders were worried that his presence might be counterproductive since he was embroiled in the unity talks controversy.

He said then that he accepted the decision with an open mind just as he welcomed the decision by the party leadership to ask him to come, albeit a little bit delayed.

“Party president (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) and (spiritual adviser) Tok Guru (Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat) called me to come and I agreed,” he had said earlier.

He also said that he would hold a press conference in Kuala Lumpur soon to clarify issues and reply to various allegations which had been levelled against him.

Abdul Hadi, meanwhile, said he did not believe there was such a directive by Kelantan PAS for Nasharudin to stay away.

“The truth is he has an ailment and he had surgery performed on him on Thursday,” he said.

source : thestar.com.my