Nasharuddin: We will continue to talk with anyone

“If you look president at Datuk Seri Hadi Awang’s opening speech, PAS has never closed its doors to anyone, which includes NGOs and political parties. We will continue to talk with anyone,” said Nasharuddin when asked if the party would continue its talks with Umno.

He also dismissed that the talks would make its Pakatan Rakyat (PR) partners uncomfortable, as they were merely discussions and no decisions would be made.

“When we talk, we don’t decide there and then. We talk about issues and things that benefit the country. If there is a major decision to be made, we have to bring it back to the party and PR,” he said, adding that he is committed to enhance PR and would carry out the agenda set out by the party through PR.

On whether talks with Umno would be easier in the light of Datuk Husam Musa’s defeat, Nasharuddin said that it was not an issue.

“The door for us to discuss whoever that is outside has never been and will never be closed,” he said, stressing that talks with Umno would not lead into a partnership with them.

Asked if the new line-up showed that the delegates wanted the ulamaks to lead the party, he said the combination of the central committee is balanced and reflected that PAS should continue to be led by a combination of leaders from different backgrounds.

He also did not think that his victory was attributed to sharing a similar view with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

“I think the delegates were not caught by the media's spin. They came with a decision knowing where they want the party to head,” said Nasharuddin while refusing to comment on Husam’s allegation that there were elements within the party that contributed to his loss.

On Husam's claim that he would continue to oppose to PAS holding talks with Umno, Nasharuddin said: “It is not a one-man show in the party. Things that are related to policy must be referred to the muktamar (assembly) because it is the highest authority in the party.”

Ask to comment on the point that he garnered less than 50% of the votes, Nasharuddin said: “I still won.”

He said the party will close ranks after these elections and will focus on the next general election, strengthening the PR and to also show the people the party’s ability to govern in the PR states.

Asked if PAS wants to lead the Opposition front, Nasharuddin said presently there was no reason to appoint a leader as it is a collective leadership and understanding between three component parties, with major issues discussed at the presidential council.

He however agreed that there is an obvious leader in PR, but stressed that no one could decide unilaterally when there is a team.

On the much-debated unity government issue, he said the matter were merely talks.

“We can’t go and discuss and set up a unity government the next day. We have our conditions, such as we want reforms in judiciary, elections commission and others,” he said.

Pressed if PAS would pursue the unity government issue with Umno, Nasharuddin said: “I will pursue the need for PAS to talk to all, either political organization or NGOs or the media. We can’t just keep to ourselves when matters are in so much demand."

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Incumbent pro-Umno cleric defeats Anwar Ibrahim ally at polls 

A pro-Umno cleric won a key post in the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) yesterday, dealing a setback to its political allies in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition.

Mr Nasharudin Mat Isa, 47, retained his deputy president's post for a third term, in a decisive defeat of Datuk Husam Musa, who is seen as an ally of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

A victory for Mr Husam would have made it easier for the PR to consolidate its strength, but the PAS rank and file voted against him for a number of reasons.

Mr Nasharudin bagged 480 votes against Mr Husam's 281.

A third candidate, Mr Mohamad Sabu, who won 261 votes, may have played a role in Mr Husam's defeat.

Although he is also seen as anti-Umno, he could have split the votes: Put together, he and Mr Husam garnered 542 votes – more than Mr Nasharudin's tally.

The result of the race for the three vice-president posts were mixed – one cleric and two without religious backgrounds. The cleric is Pahang state chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, while the other two are former youth chief Salahuddin Ayub, a bank officer, and the party's former information chief Mahfuz Omar, an activist.

The two non-clerics are regarded as anti-Umno.

In the central working committee, 10 non-clerics and eight clerics were voted in – an almost equal representation.

The president's post was uncontested, and is still held by current president Hadi Awang. – The Straits Times

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M'sia party picks moderates

MALAYSIA'S main Islamic opposition party on Saturday elected moderates to key positions in a move aimed at winning the support of non-Muslims.

But the vote for the post of deputy president was won by conservative incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa at the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party's (PAS) annual congress.

Delegates voted in 11 reformers and seven conservatives to the 18-seat decision-making central committee of the party, which has rebranded itself since 2005 in a bid to woo voters.

'If you see the combination, it is clerics and professionals. It is a manifestation of what the members want – PAS to consist of a collective leadership,' Mr Nasharudin said.

Ms Mazni Buyong, an independent political analyst, told AFP that the success of moderates in the elections could see more non-Muslims in multiracial Malaysia voting for the Islamic party.

'I think they will be able to make more inroads in the next election because the moderates are seen as more tolerant and do not push for the Islamic way of life, unlike the clerics,' she said.

Chinese and Indian voters have enthusiastically supported PAS candidates, part of the three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition, and thousands have joined PAS 'supporters' clubs.' The coalition, led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, snatched a third of parliamentary seats in an unprecedented performance in 2008 polls.

On Friday, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang told supporters the ruling coalition's fall from power was imminent because of voters' deep disillusionment.

He said the Barisan Nasional's defeat in elections due by 2012 was assured if the PAS strengthened its alliance with Parti Keadilan Rakyat, led by Ibrahim, and the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party.

The PAS assembly ends on Sunday. – The Straits Times