Below is a transcript of the press conference with PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali after the PAS political bureau meeting late Tuesday, Aug 14:
Reporter: Did the PAS meeting discuss nominating another person other than Wan Azizah?
Mustafa: No, no. This was not the meeting to discuss an alternate candidate. It did not arise. No, there has been no discussion on that tonight. We did not discuss it.
Reporter: Is the alternate candidate (PKR deputy president) Azmin Ali?
Mustafa: No, no. We did not discuss that name.
Reporter: Was Wan Azizah rejected because of her gender or qualification?
Mustafa: No, no, not because of gender. We have informed this to PKR, have informed to PKR why (we reject Wan Azizah) but not on gender. I won’t disclose (the reason). We have informed about all this to PKR. PKR is aware.
Reporter: What did you inform PKR?
Mustafa: We cannot reveal this, but we have informed PKR.
Reporter: Has PAS instructed assemblypersons not to accept Wan Azizah as MB?
Mustafa: It has not come to that stage.
Reporter: Is PAS interested to nominate its own MB candidate?
Mustafa: Even though PAS has the most seats, we have decided not to take the MB post. The issue does not arise at the time.
Reporter: So it is true that PAS rejects Wan Azizah?
Mustafa: We have given this (decision to PKR) confidently. There is no mention of candidates.
Reporter: Why did PAS reject Wan Azizah?
Mustafa: For me to answer that, I have to state the reasons, and I cannot reveal them. So I cannot answer that question.
Reporter: (Question inaudible)
Mustafa: It is the sultan’s prerogative not to intervene on the matter.
If the sultan accepts (the nomination for a new MB) what can we do (and) if doesn’t accept, what can we do? The sultan has powers.
