'Nasharuddin's sacking politically motivated'

He said the step was taken after Nasharuddin, who is also Bachok MP, accompanied him on a humanitarian visit to Gaza.

"By right, they (PAS) should appreciate the visit because it was for the good of Muslims.

"But it appears they view this as more benefiting the government and Umno than PAS.

"It could be the reason why they took this action against Nasharuddin," he told reporters after attending a high-tea held in conjunction with the Youth Action Forum 2013 here today.

Najib said Nasharuddin was someone who believed in unity and unification of Muslims.

"I do not want to make any speculation but he (Nasharuddin) is a leader who fought not to deny any political parties, and during my meetings with him, he had never condemned any party," he said.

Syura Council (the council is PAS' top decision making body) secretary Datuk Nik Zawawi Nik Salleh yesterday was reported as saying that Nasharuddin was dropped from the council as part of disciplinary proceedings, after he was allegedly found to have violated the council's rule for being absent from its meetings.

Nasharuddin's dismissal was made on Jan 13 at a meeting chaired by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, he had said.

Meanwhile, Najib described the main goal of his visit to Gaza was successfully achieved.

"Our main goal should be to help the Palestinian people, championing Palestinian issues and not let them be marginalised and left alone. And they (the Palestinians) really appreciated the visit," he said.

In KUCHING, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the dropping of Nasharudin from the council as strange.

"He made the effort to strengthen our relations with Palestine to fight for the oppressed people. The decision was made as if to deny the good work and charitable effort by Nasharudin when PAS claims it is fighting for Islam.

"He fought for a good cause, I believe Nasharudin will not stop his effort to fight for Muslims, we are merely observing what PAS is doing," he said.

IN IPOH, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the people could judge for themselves PAS' 'true colours" by the way it was treating Nasharuddin.