‘Our goal is to do good’
(NST) Q: How is your background as an Islamic scholar going to help you lead Pas Youth?
A: Our leadership is a collective that joins people of various backgrounds into a widely appealing Islamic youth movement.
There are leaders of various backgrounds and I do not lead alone as I will be helped by executive councillors and we will lead as a team.
Q: What are some of your plans and goals for the movement?
A: We need to improve our human resources to utilise all our youthful energy. First, I want to make our members more confident in our struggle.
Second, they must be physically fit to fulfil the roles and responsibilities given to them. We have a lot to do in very little time.
Third, our members must be intelligent and knowledgeable in economics, politics and social issues so that we can inspire confidence.
Q: Pas is an Islamist party that is now trying to appeal beyond religious boundaries. Would your ulama image impede that goal?
A: That perception is not true. I'll give you an example. The leadership of the ulama through (party spiritual leader) Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in Kelantan has managed to persuade non-Muslims to support Pas.
This is despite his image as a robe-wearing, turbaned ulama. He is known for being personable, humble and has broad appeal among all ethnic and religious communities.
This is why the Pas Supporters' Club has grown to 20,000 members. Our leadership of the ulama is to band together ulama, professionals and activists into a cohesive team to appeal to non-Muslims.
Q: Do you feel that Pas should talk or have a muqabalah (dialogue) with Umno?
A: As our deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa said, Pas does not have any intention or plans to enter Umno or Barisan Nasional. Muqabalah is not about entering Umno. It is a meeting to talk about issues for the good of the nation.
The foundation of the Islamic movement is to spread the message of Islam to others.
Q: What if muqabalah leads to cooperation with Umno?
A: We have never cooperated with Umno in order to join it. There have been efforts to cooperate to combat social ills for example, that we initiated but Umno was not interested.
The Quran has said that we should cooperate when it comes to doing good and we are forbidden from cooperating to accomplish something sinful. If the goal is to do good for society and the country, we will cooperate with anyone.
Q: What about cooperation to form a government? Like after last year's general election, when Umno approached Pas to form unity state governments in Selangor and Perak?
A: Pas did not have any intention of forming a government with Umno or BN.
We will remain with and strengthen Pakatan Rakyat to establish a government with it when it comes to power. We will not form a government with Umno until it accepts Islam as part of its struggle.
