By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 — The PAS seminar tomorrow is unlikely to resolve the fundamental issue of whether to co-operate with Umno to advance Islam and Malay unity or stay with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and hope to capture federal power in the forthcoming general election.
While party spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat wants to cast the party’s fortunes with PR, its president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and his faction believe they have a better chance at real power through co-operation with Umno.
The Abdul Hadi faction believe that the appeal of PR and its leading limelight — PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — are diminishing not only by the constant squabbles and fundamental differences in the coalition, but also by a resurgent Umno under president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
They believe the changing political landscape needs re-thinking of priorities especially in the Malay heartland where PAS traditional support base lies.
PAS would be in grave danger, they say, if the party gains non-Malay votes as a result of co-operation through PR but ends up losing Malay support, its traditional support base, to a resurgent Umno.
The seminar is unlikely to resolve the fundamental difference over these issues and which course to take to safeguard the future of PAS — how best to capitalise on the new forces at work in the political system to stay ahead.
While Nik Aziz and his supporters — in and outside PAS — believe another tsunami like the March 8, 2008 force is in the offing and that Putrajaya is within reach, Hadi Awang and his camp believe another tsunami is unlikely.
“We believe the tsunami is over and new forces are at work in the political system and new alliances are being forged. We have to take heed of these changes for PAS to stay ahead,” said a senior PAS leader on condition of anonymity.
“The seminar is just a talk shop and a concession to Nik Aziz," said the PAS leader.
Nik Aziz had wanted an EGM to oust top leaders like Hadi whom he blamed for working with Umno against PR.
Some supporters of Nik Aziz are trying to turn the seminar into a platform to attack Hadi Awang and deputy president Nasaruddin Mat Isa who are seen as two key proponents of the “unity talks” with Umno.
Vice-president Salahuddin Ayob, a Nik Aziz acolyte, is already stoking the fires urging delegates to speak up without fear saying any topic can be raised.
On the other hand Hadi’s supporters are also furious with Nik Aziz for going public and demanding the sacking of Hadi and Nasaruddin, among others, for allegedly working with Umno.
The dispute between the two camps is expected to spark fiery debate at the seminar but the focus will also be on a speech by Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari explaining the issues before the party.
It was Aziz’s writing in the Malay daily Sinar Harian had criticised Hadi and analysed the reasons why PAS was defeat in the recent Bagan Pinang by-election that had sparked the outburst by Nik Aziz.
Aziz had blamed Dr Hasan Ali, the PAS chief in Selangor, for driving away non-Malay voters to Barisan Nasional with his hardline Islamic policies.
While his analysis is not altogether correct but it got the attention of Nik Aziz and his supporters who seized on it to blame Hadi and his camp for "losing" Bagan Pinang.
The by-election saw BN winning by a huge 5,300 vote majority and with PAS losing in every voting stream indicating the rout was all round and across the board and little to do with Dr Hasan's antics in Selangor.
Since the outburst Hadi and Nik Aziz have appeared to have made up at least for the media but the fundamental differences between them and their camps remain unresolved.
Hadi by nature is a hardliner and holds extreme views and is unwilling to give it up, the alliance with Pakatan notwithstanding.
He is the man who pushed through Hudud laws in the Terengganu state assembly after PAS won the state in 1999, laws that are still in force although not implemented.
He is also the man who behind the party’s pushes for an Islamic state during the euphoric period between the victory of 1999 and the great defeat of 2004.
He also pushed for an Islamic Constitution for Malaysia that was discussed, debated and completed but withdrawn at the last moment in 2004.
Hadi has not given up on these themes despite the party’s Pas for All slogans, its co-operation with the Pakatan allies DAP and PKR and the country’s shift to a new and inclusive multi-cultural platform.
While Nik Aziz is not a Hadi Awang in his hardline views but he too subscribes to some of his president’s themes but in a less obtrusive way.
The issue is not the dispute between Nik Aziz and Hadi, co-operation or disassociation with Umno or which faction is politically right or wrong.
The issue is what PAS, an Islamic party, can offer a new, multi-cultural and inclusive society.
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PAS always says Islam is a religion of peace and looks after the welfare of non-Muslims as well. But this must be appreciated by the non-Muslims. PR is the ideological vehicle for PAS.
Your analysis of the political fortunes of the various political parties is near the mark with Najib as the PM. Hadi is very pragmatic in his political maneuvres though he is known as a hard liner.He may change his stance in line with prevailing circumstances.
I am not surprised if Hadi's and Nashruddin's camp prevails in the Political Seminar. If this happens, then the honorable thing for Tok Guru Nik Aziz to do is throw his towels. But the old tiger is not going to give in that easily even to his President.