BATU PAHAT: Pas vice president Salahudin Ayub today defended deputy president Mohamad Sabu who has been heavily criticised by several delegates at the party's muktamar (annual general meeting) here.
Referring to an interview that Mohamad had given to an online news portal, Salahudin said Mohamad had not said anything that is against the party.
"Instead of labelling people, we should have given him a chance to express his opinions so that we can understand his stand on any matter," said Salahudin, adding that Pas members, should do so with a sense of love for the party leadership.
"We must not condemn a leader just because we disagree with him," he said in his winding up speech.
Salahuddin and other members of the "progressive faction" led by Mohamad have been supportive of PKR and DAP in the Selangor leadership crisis.
They were opposed by the ulama faction led by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Stressing on the importance of Pas remaining in the Pakatan coalition, Salahuddin said the party's relationship with young leaders of its Pakatan partners like DAP's Liew Chin Tong and Anthony Loke iwill ensure the future of the party.
"Our president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang have said that we will remain with Pakatan, so we need to have a good relationship with our partners' next generation of leaders.
"Pas Youth also need to make sure that they will leave a bigger legacy for the party," said Salahudin who was a former chief of the party wing.