It’s moderates vs conservatives in today’s PAS vote

Husam’s victory would have a balming effect on national politics which is careering into opposite poles and help to bring forward the moderate voice in Umno.

By Baradan Kuppusamy, The Malaysian Insider

PAS delegates will cast their votes today in an election which is being sold as a tussle for control between the more moderate forces in the party led by Datuk Husam Musa and the more conservative ulama group.

And Husam’s quest to dislodge incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa as deputy president will be the barometer for whether party wants to compromise and work more closely with its secular Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners.

Nasharudin appears to be in a beleaguered position, and spent the past few days on the defensive by denying accusations he was trying to lead the party towards some form of cooperation with Umno.

While he has admitted to having talks with Umno leaders, he has denied any intention to form an alliance with the lynchpin party of the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Husam, on the other hand, has been riding a momentum in recent days which could see him wrest the deputy presidency despite a strong campaign to ensure ulama take control of the top two posts in the party.

With strong backing among the grassroots to back the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in PR, Husam’s strong ties with the de facto PKR leader could work to his advantage.

At a time now with the party at a threshold having to choose between rule by ulama and a more open and inclusive moderates, Husam is confident enough to throw everything in a ‘do or die” battle with Nasharuddin, a former academic and ulama, for the deputy president’s post.

In the 2007 election Nasharuddin defeated Datuk Harun Taib by a 207-vote majority to become deputy president.

But astonishingly in the same election, Husam, a first timer, received 831 votes from the 947 delegates present — a performance that shows his popularity on the party floor.

Two others who contested with him for the three vice-president’s post — maverick Mohamed Sabu and Ahmad Awang trailed behind with 666 and 427 votes respectively.

Three years later, Husam is now aiming for the second highest post along with Mat Sabu, who is seen as a spoiler in the battle between the giants Husam and Nasharuddin.

Some quarters fear Mat Sabu could split the moderate vote allowing Nasaruddin to sail through.

In the aftermath of the March 8 election outcome the PAS leadership had feared Muslim preeminence in the country had eroded and decided to open talks with Umno on the question of Islam and the position of Malays in a changed political landscape.

Nasharuddin was their point man for the talks and is paying a heavy price now with Husam accusing Nasaruddin and “like-minded” individuals of wanting to cut a deal with Umno.

Spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat had criticised the talks saying “one would not dally with the same snake from the same hole that had bitten them before” — a position that pleased PAS rank and file who see Umno as their mortal enemy.

Husam feels the mood in PAS is hostile to Nasharuddin and with his mentor Nik Aziz backing him, has decided to throw everything into the contest, just three years after becoming lead vice-president.

Husam has couched his challenge as necessary to advance this agenda and not help keep Umno, which is a dying, alive.

Nasharudin is hoping that the Ulama, who are all not bowled over by the Anwar magic like some other younger leaders, will rally to stop Husam, described by Nasharuddin supporters as the “Anwar agent” in PAS from becoming deputy president.

PAS insiders say the party president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, who has staked his claim to be Prime Minister just like Anwar, is not entirely excited about having a victorious Husam sitting next to him in the party as deputy president and promoting Anwar’s agenda in PAS.

A Husam victory would also strengthen Nik Aziz, whose feud with Hadi Awang is legendary, and has emerged into the open over the Umno-unity talks and selection of candidates for recent by-elections.

It would also strengthen the position of moderates in PAS and outside including in Umno, the civil service and in the institutions of higher learning.

Husam’s victory would have a balming effect on national politics which is careering into opposite poles and help to bring forward the moderate voice in Umno.

Extremists in all political parties, including in PKR, would have to take a backseat.