Some PAS leaders believe that recent acts of violence against PAS members is a sign that a third party is trying to intensify the conflict between party members.
 
Although PAS central committee member Khalid Samad has been seen as critical of certain party leaders, he firmly believes that the assault made on his fellow party colleague Dzulkefly Ahmad was not the work of anyone from PAS.

“I don’t believe any PAS member would behave in that manner,” Khalid (right) told Malaysiakini.
 
“It could be the work of a third party that is trying to create and intensify the conflict between PAS members, especially with the forthcoming party elections.”
 
Khalid also believes that all party leaders, regardless of the faction they belong to, would not agree about such behaviour.
 
“So, the best advice would be for everybody to stay cool and stay focussed; don’t allow this incident to create further tension," he said.
 
Nevertheless, Khalid admitted that there was “always a possibility” of third party interference, especially since the party’s internal debates have been “externalised”.
 
“Since the debates and arguments are externalised on the social media, there are a lot of hot-headed young members who have nothing to do but to keep on harping on the differences (in the party).
 
“So it is not impossible that more right wing groups, like Perkasa or Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), or even Umno supporters themselves, would take advantage of the situation.”
 
‘Not work of PAS’
 
The Shah Alam MP added that such acts being carried out by right wing groups would be a more “acceptable explanation”.
 
“I refuse to accept that it’s the work of PAS members,” he reiterated.
 
Khalid, in August last year, was himself spat on by a group of people whom he claimed were Perkasa members.
 
“The police have not taken any action because they (the group) are seemingly being protected under the law.
 
“I was told that the officer-in-charge has been transferred and that someone else is looking into this case,” he said.
 
The incident had occurred after he had posted bail after being charged with sedition for stating that the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council (Mais) be stripped of its executive powers.
                                                                       
Meanwhile, Khalid also believes that the assault on Dzulkefly was not an isolated incident, but was “premeditated”.
 
“There was no real motive. The assailants didn’t try to rob him, so it must have been politically motivated,” he said.
 
'Dzulkefly assault premeditated'
 
This view was also echoed by PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat, who said that a third party was trying to split PAS by capitalising on the differences between party members.
 
“As long as PAS is strong and can undermine certain quarters, especially the authorities…
 
“I’m not accusing anyone, but I believe those responsible for the incident were those with the intention to split PAS,” Suhaizan said.
 
He further rationalised how there would always be differences of opinion within any political party.
 
“For example, some people like rice, some don’t. If everyone likes to eat rice, then our supply of rice would be depleted,” Suhaizan quipped.
 
On the other hand, PAS election director Hatta Ramli, expressed hope that the assault on Dzulkefly, as well as the incident where his own car was torched, are unrelated events.
 
“I also hope that it’s not related to the current political situation, whether in the country or in PAS.
 
“When my car was torched, I did not make any reference to any political situation, but I relied on the police to complete their investigations and come out with their findings.
 
“I hope the police will fully investigate and determine the culprit (in Dzulkefly's case) so that everybody will be assured that this was an isolated incident,” said Hatta, who is the Kuala Krai MP.
 
Hatta’s (left) four-wheel drive was torched in front of his house last month by an unidentified man.
 
The latest incident of violence involving a PAS member saw Dzulkefly being assaulted by an unidentified individual as he was returning from subuh prayers yesterday.
 
The assailant punched the PAS leader before attacking him using an iron rod. Dzulkefly suffered a split lip and an injury on his forehead as a result of the attack.