Mixed signals from delegates in party polls

Many consider this year's PAS polls as crucial for delegates to decide on the direction of the party at a time when it is sailing in uncharted waters.

After gaining considerable amount of ground in the March 2008 general elections, the conservative Islamist party is under pressure to open up and be more inclusive.

But at the same time, there is resistance from the ulama (religious scholar) faction which wants to keep things status quo, which would no doubt set the party on a collision course with liberal Pakatan Rakyat allies PKR and DAP.

But a cursory look at the final results of the polls indicates that there is no clear winner in the much-hyped tussle between the conservative and so-called liberal or 'Erdogan' faction.

Incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa, an ulama, may have retained his posts as deputy president, but his two liberal opponents, Husam Musa and Mohamad Sabu, collectively obtained more votes.

Of the three elected vice-presidents, Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar are seen to be more liberal while Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is regarded as a staunch conservative.

Over at the central committee level, a large number of prominent liberals such as Dzulkefly Ahmad, Hatta Ramli, Kamaruddin Jaafar and Mujahid Yusof Rawa retained their posts.

More glaringly, ousted Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (right) topped the votes at the central committee member.

He is the party’s most recognisable and most likable face to the non-Muslim community.

'No clear outcome'

Ibrahim Suffian, director of independent pollster Merdeka Centre, said the delegates appear to be sending mixed signals on where they want the party to go.

“They want their ulama leadership and yet retaining the ‘PAS for all’ (liberal tagline). I think it shows both streams of thought are equally strong and compelling to the delegates,” said Ibrahim (right).

Given the way the votes had fallen, Ibrahim expects the contest over the different ideals between the two factions to go on until the next party polls, scheduled in two years.

“I wouldn’t say there is a clear outcome here. It now boils down to whether they are willing to compromise and work together for the party,” he added.

PAS supporters club national chairperson Hu Pang Chow (left), opined that the mixed results indicates the grassroots yearning for change, but at a pace which they are comfortable with.

“It could be five to 10 years. No one knows,” said Hu.

For the time being however, Hu believes that the poll results as a whole is likely to bring the party back into the more conservative mode.

He points out that the top two posts in the Youth wing were both from the ulama faction while re-elected women’s wing chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh is also considered a conservative.

“Given the line-up for the top posts, I think PAS would be threading the more conservative path for the time being,” he said.

Husam is biggest loser

Though neither factions appear to be weakened by the poll results, the biggest loser of the weekend appears to be Husam, who is seen to be the leader of the so-called 'Erdogans'.

Despite bagging the highest number of votes during the 2007 party polls, Husam, a two-term vice-president, is now without any formal position in the party’s central leadership.

Husam, 50, is a well-respected leader within and outside the party. He is also among the few media-savvy PAS leader and is on good terms with Pakatan allies.

These attributes, however, is unlikely to come in play in the near future as he prepares to be relegated from national politics to his home base of Kelantan.

“Without a position, it is difficult for him to speak on behalf of the party,” said Hu.

Hu said that Husam was unlikely to accept any appointment to the central leadership, given that he had gone for broke - and failed - in the contest for deputy presidency.

“How can he accept the post if the delegates are telling him that he is 'tak laku' as a deputy president?” asked Hu.