Nasharuddin blames media for PAS divide

(The Edge) SHAH ALAM: Newly re-elected PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa has criticised the media for allegedly creating a divide between the "conservative ulamak" and "progressive professionals" in the Islamist party.

"If we were so conservative, PAS would not have reached this level of political greatness," he said in his winding-up speech at the party's conference in Stadium Malawati.

"We would not have forged cooperation with Pakatan Rakyat, or have such a large following in the PAS Supporters Club (if we were conservative)," said Nasharuddin.

He blamed the media for creating the polemics, saying that they have also caused PAS to be seen as an exclusive party. "If this were true, would we have seen a Chinese non-Muslim delivering a speech during the muktamar?" he asked, referring to PAS Supporters Club representative Vincent Lee who delivered a speech earlier.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who was returned unopposed, said in his concluding remarks that the party would continue to welcome media coverage of the muktamar, including from bloggers.

Nasharuddin reiterated that PAS never had any plans at its central level to work with Umno. "We are political enemies," he said, adding that members did not have to be influenced by foreign ideas in party administration.