PAS has failed to cross over after all. Instead of going out to explore the new world, it retracted its head and hid behind the existing comfortable and safe place.
As a result, Datuk Husam Musa, who promoted changes for PAS, was defeated in the party elections. Most of the delegates have not been inspired by him. They would rather vote for Nasharudin Mat Isa, who insisted on “cooperating” with Umno, and obstinate Mohamad Sabu.
It was a pity for Husam as PAS has wasted an opportunity to use his talents. Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat knew how to recognise and appreciate talent, but most of the PAS delegates were not having an open mind like Nik Aziz.
Of course, party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s direction has won the game. But what was Hadi’s direction actually? I’m afraid that he too was not sure himself.
Hadi could have fiercely lashed out at Umno and claimed that he wants to strengthen the party’s ties with PKR and DAP during his opening speech, but instead he said that he supported the idea of a unity government with Umno when asked by reporters.
He even went further and said that PKR and DAP agreed with the idea.
It requires only a little political common sense to know that it is in fact self-destruction. To put it simply, it is political suicide.
Hadi may be an outstanding ulama (religious scholar), but he is not a competent politician. He is scarcely comparable to late president Datuk Fadzil Noor.
The problem is, PAS is a combination of a religious and political party in which the ulama still hold a very high status in the party, regardless of whether they understand politics, leadership and management.
The March 8 general election has expanded the party’s territory to an extent that it could not have imagined. It has gained supports from both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
The liberal-progressive “Erdogan” group led by Husam intended to take advantage of this favourable situation and push the party towards a “PAS for all”, making it a party acceptable to all.
To achieve the goal, PAS must first undergo a transformation that dilutes religious dogma and accepts universal values, as well as become more tolerant and moderate.
Such a direction must have caused an uneasy feeling to the pro-ulama lot and conservatives of the party. They were worried that PAS might lose its relevance and at the same time, the idea was a threat to their dominance.
The pro-ulama lot launched a fightback by stressing ulama leadership and the return of religion; it eventually worked. Moreover, the worries of secularisation within the party had an impact on the election results.
Although the “Erdogan” camp gained in the vice-president and central committee elections, many of them, however, won because of their personal image or they never offended the pro-ulama lot.
As for those in the liberal progressive group with a clear-cut stand, we could see that they have lost their stronghold with the defeat of Husam for the deputy president’s post, and the failure of Mujahid Yusof Rawa to win a vice-president’s post and Khalid Samad as a central committee member.
The change of PAS will certainly affect the stability of Pakatan Rakyat. Umno and BN are now laughing as they finally have an opportunity to launch a counterattack. —
mysinchew
09/06/09
As a result, Datuk Husam Musa, who promoted changes for PAS, was defeated in the party elections. Most of the delegates have not been inspired by him. They would rather vote for Nasharudin Mat Isa, who insisted on “cooperating” with Umno, and obstinate Mohamad Sabu.
It was a pity for Husam as PAS has wasted an opportunity to use his talents. Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat knew how to recognise and appreciate talent, but most of the PAS delegates were not having an open mind like Nik Aziz.
Of course, party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s direction has won the game. But what was Hadi’s direction actually? I’m afraid that he too was not sure himself.
Hadi could have fiercely lashed out at Umno and claimed that he wants to strengthen the party’s ties with PKR and DAP during his opening speech, but instead he said that he supported the idea of a unity government with Umno when asked by reporters.
He even went further and said that PKR and DAP agreed with the idea.
It requires only a little political common sense to know that it is in fact self-destruction. To put it simply, it is political suicide.
Hadi may be an outstanding ulama (religious scholar), but he is not a competent politician. He is scarcely comparable to late president Datuk Fadzil Noor.
The problem is, PAS is a combination of a religious and political party in which the ulama still hold a very high status in the party, regardless of whether they understand politics, leadership and management.
The March 8 general election has expanded the party’s territory to an extent that it could not have imagined. It has gained supports from both the Muslim and non-Muslim communities.
The liberal-progressive “Erdogan” group led by Husam intended to take advantage of this favourable situation and push the party towards a “PAS for all”, making it a party acceptable to all.
To achieve the goal, PAS must first undergo a transformation that dilutes religious dogma and accepts universal values, as well as become more tolerant and moderate.
Such a direction must have caused an uneasy feeling to the pro-ulama lot and conservatives of the party. They were worried that PAS might lose its relevance and at the same time, the idea was a threat to their dominance.
The pro-ulama lot launched a fightback by stressing ulama leadership and the return of religion; it eventually worked. Moreover, the worries of secularisation within the party had an impact on the election results.
Although the “Erdogan” camp gained in the vice-president and central committee elections, many of them, however, won because of their personal image or they never offended the pro-ulama lot.
As for those in the liberal progressive group with a clear-cut stand, we could see that they have lost their stronghold with the defeat of Husam for the deputy president’s post, and the failure of Mujahid Yusof Rawa to win a vice-president’s post and Khalid Samad as a central committee member.
The change of PAS will certainly affect the stability of Pakatan Rakyat. Umno and BN are now laughing as they finally have an opportunity to launch a counterattack. —
mysinchew
09/06/09
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