PAS information chief Dr Haron Din's working paper, on empowering the ulama (Islamic scholars) leadership, presented at the munaqashah (special convention) over the weekend has caused some alarm among professionals in the party.

The paper entitled Kepimpinan Ulamak Di Era Cabaran Baru (Ulama leadership in a challenging new era) had among others proposed that the party president and deputy be automatically made members of the Majlis Syura Ulama (scholars consultative council).

At present holders of the top two posts are not part of the powerful council.

The 28-page document, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini, also spoke on creating a separate secretariat and party workers for the syura to ensure the effectiveness of its programmes and activities which include monitoring the activities at the grassroots level.

(Syura is the party's highest body. It guides the central working committee and other wings in formulating their policies and strategy)

Responding to this, a group of delegates wondered if there were bids to amend the party's constitution to state that the president and deputy president posts be held by ulama.

"This is because the party constitution clearly states that Syura members must be ulama. Does this mean that he (Haron) wants to amend the constitution which is currently silent on the status of the president and deputy...that's why in the past we had presidents who were not ulama," said a Perlis leader who requested anonymity.

A central committee member admitted that the proposal had sparked some concern and urged the relevant leaders to clarify the matter to avoid uneasiness among leaders with a professional background.

Baseless concerns

Commenting on the concerns, Haron said it was baseless as he has no intentions of limiting the president and deputy president posts for ulama only.

"In strengthening the syura, I proposed that the president, his deputy, ulama wing chief and his deputy automatically be made part of the syura as ex-officio members. That's all.

"The president and the deputy president are elected by delegates in the Muktamar (annual general assembly). So if members elect a Chinese as the president then (if the proposal is accepted) the Chinese person would be made part of the syura," he added.

However, the PAS leader admitted that if his proposal is accepted by the central working committee, there would be a slight amendment to the party's constitution.

"But it will not be a major one," he assured.

Over the years, professionals who are not religious scholars have joined PAS in droves and moved up the ranks to hold key posts, indirectly challenging the ulama's grip on the party.

Explaining his working paper, Haron said he wants limit the power of the Dewan Ulama which currently has the liberty to select four among them as syura members.

"If my proposal is accepted, the ulama wing will be represented by their chief and deputy chief. So there is no longer a need to elect two more from the wing. However, the central working committee's power to choose four among them as syura will be maintained because the committee members are the ones who implement the policies approved by the syura," he added.

Proposal lauded

A Selangor PAS leader lauded this on the ground that if the proposal is approved, it would limit the members of the ulama wing in the syura.

"We professionals in the party are not against the ulama. But the ulama wing must improve the quality of their members because right now those having the qualifications of 'empat thanawi' (an examination on Islamic subjects equivalent to A-Levels) can qualify as members.

"But we need someone open-minded and in touch with the real politics in the country. But when we propose a slight reformation, it is usually the people from the ulama wing in the syura that hinder the reform process," said the politician, who is a qualified engineer.

For example, he cited the proposal to have separate entities for PAS' state and federal leadership which has yet to be approved by the syura following objections by several of its members.

"This is why I think we should agree with Haron's proposal to cap the power of the ulama wing. This would ensure that the members of syura are only ulama with quality," he added.

However, Haron reminded members not to lose sleep over his working paper as they are mere proposals that needed vetting from the central working committee.

"So it will be debated again by the committee members. If they do not approve of it then we will continue as present," he said.