Ustaz Kazim quits PAS
(Bernama) – Independent Islamic preacher Mohammad Kazim Elias or better known as Ustaz Kazim today announced his decision to quit PAS as he was deeply disappointed with the condemnation and slander hurled at him by the party leaders and members.
He said the attacks had become even more relentless after he was offered a seat in the Umno supreme council recently, although he had not stated his stand on the offer.
Even more hurtful, he said, was that some PAS members had called him an animal and a hypocrite while there were party leaders likening him to a goat that had been eaten by a wolf, calling him a confused religious person or accusing him of becoming an idol or statue of worship by Umno.
“It does not matter whether I am still a PAS member or they will sack me after my statement, with all that PAS’ tirade against me who is trying to preach Islam, I hereby announce that I quit PAS.
“I still love PAS which was once led by the late Ustaz Fadzil Noor, who fought for the real concept in Islam. However, I am disappointed with the present-day PAS which when advised or ticked off, would call me an Umno lackey or running dog, whereas I am a PAS member and have never registered as an Umno member,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament building today.
He had earlier met with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for an hour at the latter’s office here over the appointment as a member of the Umno supreme council.
However, Ustaz Kazim stressed that his decision to quit PAS had nothing to do with his meeting with the prime minister today, but for years he had been patient with PAS’ revile attacks against him which also affected his family members.
He said in the last two or three days, his patience with PAS had reached the limit.
“Is this the PAS that wants to champion Islam and unite the Muslims?” he asked.
On the status of his appointment to the Umno supreme council, Ustaz Kazim said he left it to the prime minister as the Umno president, to announce the matter.
He said he felt honoured with the offer and was satisfied with the explanation given by Najib during their meeting on the role be could play as a religious preacher in the council.
On Nov 29, Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor announced Ustaz Kazim as among the nine appointed Umno supreme council members to make up the additional 13, and this was decided by the party president under Clause 9.2.8 of the Umno constitution.
