55th PAS muktamar: The turning point?
Rahmah Ghazali & Hafiz YatimPublished: Jun 3, 2009 12:57 PM | Updated: Jun 3, 2009 5:38 PM
There’s more at stake in the 55th PAS muktamar (general assembly) than just who wins key posts at the top for the next three years. The outcome could well dictate the Islamic party’s future direction.
Previous meetings were often seen as throwing up contests between young professionals and senior conservatives.
The Islamic party has made significant inroads among a previously suspicious non-Muslim electorate. Will it build on this or throw its lot with arch-rivals Umno?
There’s more at stake in the 55th PAS muktamar (general assembly) than just who wins key posts at the top for the next three years. The outcome could well dictate the Islamic party’s future direction.
Previous meetings were often seen as throwing up contests between young professionals and senior conservatives.
This time around, there is an added ideological difference between the two loose factions.
The divide between the liberal professionals and conservative ulama (religious scholars) has the former seeking a stronger Pakatan Rakyat to topple Barisan Nasional at federal level, and the latter favouring closer ties with arch-rivals Umno.
The main meeting of the party will be held in Taman Melewar, Gombak. While the formalities begin tonight, the focus is already on the three-cornered showdown for the deputy presidency on Friday.
Party president Abdul Hadi Awang - who won uncontested - will be closely watched for his leanings when he delivers his policy speech the same day. He has been seen as being on the same page as incumbent deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
The 1,100 delegates from 176 divisions will cast their votes after the noon prayers and the results are expected to be announced late Friday night.
Nasharuddin belongs to the conservative faction. Taking him on is Husam Musa, the pro-Pakatan ‘Erdogan’ faction - named after the liberal-minded Turkish premier.
Another contender, popular orator Mohammad Sabu, is staying off the radar as he is neither an assemblyperson like Husam nor a parliamentarian like Nasharuddin.
The contest became more interesting when deputy spiritual leader Dr Haron Din - who is in the ulama faction - pulled out.
Many saw it as a move for Nasharuddin to benefit from his votes. This faction has led the party since 1982.
Husam, 50, did not wait too long after announcing his candidacy to fire his first salvo against the incumbent for endorsing secret meetings with Umno to form a unity government in states where BN had lost to Pakatan in the general election last year.
“I think the incumbent deputy president (Nasharuddin) is liberal too but he is too liberal (towards) Umno and this is unacceptable. In my opinion, PAS should be in the middle instead of opening up to Umno and saving it,” he had said.
Contests in the wings
Elections for the Youth wing have seen the candidates winning key posts uncontested. Nasruddin Hassan will leading the wing, while incumbent Azman Safawi remains deputy and Sabki Yusof is the vice-head.
However, in the Youth working committee, a total of 23 candidates will fight it out for the 12 slots available.
The Muslimat (women’s wing) meeting will begin tomorrow. The outcome for the top two posts lies in the hands of some 300 delegates.
Dr Asiah Ali is standing against incumbent head Nuridah Mohd Salleh, while senator Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff will take on Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan for the deputy’s post.
Senator Mumtaz Mohd Nawi has won the vice-head position uncontested.
Another 23 candidates will vie for 12 seats in the working committee.
The results for both the Youth and Muslimat working committee posts will only be known on Saturday.
The muktamar will draw to a close on Sunday.
Previous reports
Power struggle puts PAS at a crossroads
Husam Musa - cometh the hour, cometh the man
Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3
Previous meetings were often seen as throwing up contests between young professionals and senior conservatives.
This time around, there is an added ideological difference between the two loose factions.
The divide between the liberal professionals and conservative ulama (religious scholars) has the former seeking a stronger Pakatan Rakyat to topple Barisan Nasional at federal level, and the latter favouring closer ties with arch-rivals Umno.
The main meeting of the party will be held in Taman Melewar, Gombak. While the formalities begin tonight, the focus is already on the three-cornered showdown for the deputy presidency on Friday.
Party president Abdul Hadi Awang - who won uncontested - will be closely watched for his leanings when he delivers his policy speech the same day. He has been seen as being on the same page as incumbent deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
The 1,100 delegates from 176 divisions will cast their votes after the noon prayers and the results are expected to be announced late Friday night.
Nasharuddin belongs to the conservative faction. Taking him on is Husam Musa, the pro-Pakatan ‘Erdogan’ faction - named after the liberal-minded Turkish premier.Another contender, popular orator Mohammad Sabu, is staying off the radar as he is neither an assemblyperson like Husam nor a parliamentarian like Nasharuddin.
The contest became more interesting when deputy spiritual leader Dr Haron Din - who is in the ulama faction - pulled out.
Many saw it as a move for Nasharuddin to benefit from his votes. This faction has led the party since 1982.
Husam, 50, did not wait too long after announcing his candidacy to fire his first salvo against the incumbent for endorsing secret meetings with Umno to form a unity government in states where BN had lost to Pakatan in the general election last year.
“I think the incumbent deputy president (Nasharuddin) is liberal too but he is too liberal (towards) Umno and this is unacceptable. In my opinion, PAS should be in the middle instead of opening up to Umno and saving it,” he had said.
Contests in the wings
Elections for the Youth wing have seen the candidates winning key posts uncontested. Nasruddin Hassan will leading the wing, while incumbent Azman Safawi remains deputy and Sabki Yusof is the vice-head.
However, in the Youth working committee, a total of 23 candidates will fight it out for the 12 slots available.
The Muslimat (women’s wing) meeting will begin tomorrow. The outcome for the top two posts lies in the hands of some 300 delegates.
Dr Asiah Ali is standing against incumbent head Nuridah Mohd Salleh, while senator Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff will take on Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan for the deputy’s post.
Senator Mumtaz Mohd Nawi has won the vice-head position uncontested.
Another 23 candidates will vie for 12 seats in the working committee.
The results for both the Youth and Muslimat working committee posts will only be known on Saturday.
The muktamar will draw to a close on Sunday.
Previous reports
Power struggle puts PAS at a crossroads
Husam Musa - cometh the hour, cometh the man
Part 1 l Part 2 l Part 3
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