Spiritual chief sidelined?

By Hazlin Hassan, The Straits Times

The campaigning for the internal polls at Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) has been uncharacteristically vicious, and the results appear to have sidelined its revered spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, party insiders say.

On one side of the battle were the conservative clerics led by party president Hadi Awang. On the other was the pro-Anwar Ibrahim group of professionals led by former vice-president Husam Musa.

Datuk Husam and another candidate had challenged incumbent cleric Nasharudin Mat Isa for the post of deputy president.

While these leaders stayed above the fray, their supporters engaged in a campaign that was widely seen as having stooped to new lows for the Islamist party, which frowns on open campaigning.

One side was accused of dabbling in deviationist practices and alleged corruption, while the other was accused of having sold out to arch-enemy Umno.

In the end, the clerics faction made off with the key posts. Datuk Husam, who hails from Kelantan, failed in his attempt to unseat Mr Nasharudin.

In addition, it emerged that six other Kelantan leaders – four of whom are Kelantan state Cabinet members – lost in their bid for the top positions.

This has led to speculation that the infighting at PAS was also part of a struggle between Mr Nik Aziz, who leads the Kelantan state government, and the clerics from Terengganu led by Datuk Hadi.

Entering the fray, Umno Kelantan has called for Mr Nik Aziz to resign as PAS spiritual leader, prompting Mr Nasharudin to retort that it was none of Umno's business.

A party insider has dismissed the notion that Mr Nik Aziz's leadership is becoming sidelined, as 'he is still highly respected among the grassroots'.