Divided PAS a cause for concern
The just concluded
58th national PAS muktamar showed the Islamism party PAS to be deeply divided
on religious and political issues. These include the hudud, Islamic state and
the choice of PM if Pakatan takes over Putrajaya. Although its leaders may have
softened their stand on the creation of an Islamic state with the
implementation of the hudud laws as shown by the president whose speech was
silent on these issue, but deep in the hearts of the members the yearning for an
Islamic state and syariah laws is still very much alive which makes many wonder
on the sincerity of PAS in the opposition coalition.
The party leadership
was trying very hard to portray the image of a ‘PAS for all’ attitude. This was
clearly demonstrated by the inclusion of the members of the non-Muslim
supporter’s club in the muktamar for the very first time, hosting their meet in
a Chinese hall and playing multilingual music during breaks in the proceedings.
These gestures may be encouraging, but they are far from adequate to please the
non-Muslims for too long.
PAS President Datul Seri Hadi Awang did a great balancing act by avoiding treading
on controversial issues that could split the voters which could deny Pakatan a
victory in the soon to be held 13GE.By pledging to fix the faulty economy of the BN he tried to
portray PAS, although an Islamist party struggling set up an Islamic state, as
a party which is also capable of undertaking modern economic management that is
prudent and effective, a task that was doubted by the people at large.
Hadi’s call for a liberal stand to gain the hearts of
non-Muslims did not go down well with the delegates many among whom feared that
their party may be losing their original Islamic ideals. They insisted that PAS return to its original
struggles to establish an Islamic state with hudud laws being the supreme law
of the land.
The call to nominate Hadi as the PM if Pakatan wins the 13GE
caught everyone by surprise as before that the Pakatan leadership, comprising
Hadi himself pledged to support DSAI for the post. Why the sudden change just
before the general elections? Is there any sinister motive behind this move? Why
did Dap supremo Lim Kit Siang had to over-emphasize on the support for Anwar at
the giant rally in Kota Baru on the night of the PAS muktamar? Why did Hadi
after initial reluctance was quick to accept the offer saying, he is ready to be
the PM if required? Why did Anwar very quickly respond very magnanimously in
accommodating the suggestion of Hadi being the PM?
Would Hadi , being a religious man of high integrity and
rapidly gaining the respect of non-Muslims, betray his Pakatan colleagues with
who he had established such a close rapport? Was it a calculated political move
or even a sandiwara to get the
support of the Malays who may have some reservations of Anwar becoming the PM?
These are some puzzling political maneuvers that will only become clear with the
passage of time.
Hadi Awang
and other PAS leaders insist that their party may be divided on major issues but it is united
and fully committed to its partners in Pakatan Rakyat in toppling
the mighty BN in the most crucial 13GE.
Whatever happens within PAS may be its internal problem for
its leadership to sort out but what is most important is its commitment to the
rakyat who have placed their hopes and trust in the Pakatan leadership to bring
political change for the better.
The outcome of the 58th PAS muktamar was a source
of concern for all Malaysians who were anxiously looking forward for the dawn
of a new Malaysia. The Pakatan leadership may resort to any political game to
outdo their rival but they must never betray the trust of people for whatever
reason, be it for power, wealth or religious. There has never been a better opportunity
to change the government and Malaysians of all race and creed and from walks of
life hope and pray they will not be let down by the very leaders who promised
to save them and their nation from clutches of corruption, power abuse and racism.
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