Husam was reported to have claimed in August that Nik Aziz would have agreed to his decision to join Parti Amanah Negara, a splinter party formed by PAS dissidents.

But PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said Husam was trying to fool supporters by using the name of the late Nik Aziz, Sinar Harian reported today.

He said PAS members who were dissatisfied with his leadership were free to leave and join another party. “There is no problem,” Hadi was quoted saying.

Hadi disputed Husam’s claim of close ties to the late Nik Aziz. Husam was once touted as the protégé of Nik Aziz and in line to be Kelantan menteri besar, a post held by Nik Aziz for 23 years.

“I am closer to Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) 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],” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.

Husam was expelled by PAS earlier this year. He recently announced he would join Amanah and accused PAS of having lost its direction.