PAS’s Husam says it again: Umno? No way!

By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan

PAS deputy president aspirant Husam Musa has reiterated that his party must not co-operate with arch enemy Umno under any circumstances.

“I hope that this strong message is accepted that in no way should the party co-operate with Umno which is the enemy,” Husam told reporters who mobbed him at the party’s 55th annual assembly.

A strikingly good-looking 49-year old, Husam will know in a few hours if he has been successful in wresting the No 2 seat from incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa, a Jordan-trained ulama or Islamic scholar..

Another vice president Mohamed Sabu is also contesting the post, making it a rare three-cornered fight in a party, where challenges for the topmost posts are frowned upon, although never banned so far.

The future face of PAS

Husam, an economist by training, is regarded by many as the future face of PAS.

And that is – a modern Islamic party that accepts and can be accepted by non-Muslims and non-Malays alike.

Not at all an easy task in a country like Malaysia, where religion is often contorted beyond recognition to protect racial rights and share of the economic pie.

But like it or not, PAS will have to change.

Even if Husam loses – as many believe he may – and the effort to turn PAS from a boutique party into a mainstream juggernaut is derailed –  change will still come to PAS.

Albeit, at a much slower pace.