KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has accused former vice-president Datuk Husam Musa of misusing the name of the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to justify his decision to frogleap into a new party.

He chided the Salor assemblyman for trying to pull wool over the eyes of its supporters by using the party’s highly respected former spiritual adviser as validation for his recent move to join PAS rebels in splinter party, Amanah, Sinar Harian reported today.

"Only God knows of future matters, he has died.

"This is a religiously ignorant statement,” the Marang MP was quoted saying in response to an earlier statement by Husam.

He also played down the effect of Husam’s entry into Amanah and said PAS members who were dissatisfied with his leadership were free to leave and join another party.

"For PAS members who have a problem, it is easy, they can always leave the party and join another party. There is no problem,” Hadi was quoted saying.

Husam had reportedly claimed in August that Nik Aziz would have agreed to his decision to join Amanah.

Hadi was also reported to have emphasised that he had enjoyed closer ties to the late Nik Aziz than Husam.

Husam had been touted as Nik Aziz’s protégé and was reputed to be in line to be a future Kelantan mentri besar, a post Nik Aziz had held for 23 years until he resigned in May 2013 due to his deteriorating health.

Nik Aziz was succeeded by Datuk Ahmad Yaakob, the incumbent.

"I am closer to Tok Guru compared to Husam. If you don’t believe, listen to Tok Guru’s cassettes, hear his comments about me.

"My relationship with Tok Guru is longer and closer than him [Husam],” the Terengganu federal lawmaker was quoted saying, using the honourific to refer to Nik Aziz.

Hadi also said Kelantan PAS is not weakened by Husam’s allegiance to a new party.

Husam last week announced that he will finally be joining Amanah after being sacked by PAS several months before.

He said he chose Amanah because he felt the party was clear in its direction of championing the rights of the people without compromising Islamic values.

Husam also said PAS has lost its direction and its leaders have diverted from its original cause in helping Muslims and the people in general.