In bid to OUTFOX party rebels, Hadi to take over from Nik Aziz as Pas Spiritual Adviser ?

TRY asking any senior PAS leader and the answer will definitely be in the negative.

None so far have said they believe ongoing allegations of conspiracy to oust party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, although there have been admission behind closed doors that discussions are on whether to retain the president at the forthcoming party polls.

There is a new twist to these speculations as well following the recent passing of the party’s icon, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Nik Aziz’s death has left the post of Mursyidul Am (spiritual leader) vacant and Hadi, according to some Pas’ insiders, might be elevated to that position, saving himself from facing a possible challenge for the party’s No. 1 post during internal elections scheduled in June.

The insiders claim there are talks, unofficially, that it will be Hadi, the ulama-turned politician from Terengganu, and not the current deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din, who will become the party’s new spiritual leader.

The Mursyidul Am heads PAS’ 15-member influential Majlis Syura Ulama, the highest decision-making body in the party after the muktamar (party general assembly) and whose decision is binding, at least for PAS members who practise the concept of wala (loyalty to the leader).

Hadi, 67, is said to be facing a rebellion of sorts within his own party over his leadership; his decisions and stance on several issues are being questioned much too often of late, especially by those who practise moderation and in full support of PAS’ co-operation with its Pakatan Rakyat allies — Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the DAP — to continue their march to enter Putrajaya after GE14.

Under threat of a major opinion split between the ulama group and the professional group, PAS is set to see keen contests in the June elections where all party positions will be up for grabs.

Talk is that delegates are keen to decide once and for all, whether they want to continue supporting the pro-ulama faction, also labelled as traditionalists who are keen to see the Islamist party become more religiously conservative.

The late Nik Aziz

Delegates could decide otherwise under the current political landscape, though.

PAS, they know, will not be where it is today without getting the support of non-Muslims. Going solo will only see PAS returning to being a fringe party.

All that the moderates — also referred to as reformists and progressives in PAS — want is for the party leadership to focus on better ties with its allies and not accept overtures from their political foes, namely Umno.

The situation in PAS today is precarious with the gap between the ulama and moderate factions widening by the day. Recent incidences are straining the party’s vaunted unity and discipline.

The arson attack on the four-wheel-drive vehicle belonging to Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, raised speculations that it was the work of a dissatisfied group following earlier claims that the Kuala Krai Member of Parliament and several other PAS leaders were conspiring to remove Hadi as the party president.

The demonstration by a small group in show of support for Hadi outside the party headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, surprised many, including Hadi himself. The group also claimed that there was a conspiracy to topple Hadi.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali speedily quashed the allegation by the demonstrators led by PAS Pahang Youth chief and assured that the matter would be investigated.

Prior to these incidences, a group from Persatuan Ummah Sejahera Malaysia, or Pasma, the NGO offshoot of PAS, met DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng at the Penang Chief Minister’s office in Komtar, Penang, apparently to discuss cooperation to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat in facing the 14th General Election.

The pro-Pakatan Rakyat Pasma, through its leaders and activists, have been attacking the ulama and Hadi openly in cyberspace, while “Geng Ustaz”, comprising the young and educated ulama group surrounding Hadi, engaged in counter-attacks.

The sudden emergence of Pasma ahead of last year’s PAS muktamar in Johor has caused uneasiness among segments in the party, especially the activists, as the NGO is fighting PAS, not the party’s real enemy, which is Umno.

Its birth had fuelled speculation that Hadi would be asked to step down at the muktamar, but this, of course, did not happen; instead it was Hadi who shot back at leaders behind the setting up of the NGO saysing that they were trying to set up an organisation within the party.

However, Pasma is gaining strength, despite the PAS central committee having issued a circular to members forbidding them from having any involvement with its activities.

Clashes between the traditionalists and more liberal-minded reformists have occurred now and then, but issues are usually resolved with some leaders being left wounded and some even suffering political death, enabling PAS to move on.

Then again, new things may develop before elections are held, and delegates may opt to vote in an equal number of leaders from the opposing factions to keep the check and balance. - The Rakyat Post