The PAS president has the power to propose names of candidates from the party for the menteri besar post without consulting the party's central committee.

This is provided under the party's constitution, said PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today.

He said as provided by the PAS constitution, the party president had the right to decide on several matters relating to the party where members, including deputy and vice-presidents, had to support the decision made by the president.

He said this when asked to comment on a statement by a leader of the party for disputing the decision of the PAS' Consultative Council in sending three names to the Selangor Sultan to be considered for the post of menteri besar.

It was signed by Abdul Hadi without consulting the party's central committee.

Abdul Hadi said the person concerned should refer to the party constitution.

"It has been practiced by PAS since 1959. Beginning 1959, and then in 1964, 1969, 1974, 1978 (in Terengganu and Kelantan). (Appointment of Menteri Besar was not referred to the party's central committee).

"Also in 1990 when we were in power in Kelantan again, where the (decision on) appointment of the menteri besar was made by the then party president," he told reporters when met after opening a seminar on the implementation of Islamic law here today.

Meanwhile, on the setting up of a new party, Parti Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (Pasma), said to be a splinter group of PAS, Abdul Hadi said it was normal in a democratic country like Malaysia.

However, he, said the setting up of Pasma would not affect PAS.

It was learnt that Pasma was formed following a meeting by more than 100 PAS members in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, last Sunday.

On the Pengkalan Kubor by-election, Abdul Hadi said the PAS election machinery was ready to face the by-election.

"However, discussion is still on between PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) on the candidate to be fielded.

"I leave the matter to the state and central election committees to decide," he added.