Nik Aziz’s political move can be detrimental to Malay unity

(Bernama) — The call by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for an extraordinary “muktamar” or general assembly (EGM) to rid the party of “problematic leaders” could be detrimental to Malay political unity.

Although the EGM is perfectly legal under party constitution and in accordance with democratic practice, based on the experience of other political parties, it could affect unity among members and among the Malays.

More often that not, the act of sidelining leaders through an EGM, however democratic the process might be, could precipitate a split in a party when their supporters refuse to accept the results.

The political move by the Kelantan menteri besar seems to be disregarding the need to safeguard unity and is said to be spurred by his dissatisfaction over the stand taken by several party leaders who are in favour of working with Umno in strengthening Malay unity.

So far, only Kelantan PAS is reported to be supportive of Nik Aziz’s proposal.

Kedah PAS does not feel the EGM is necessary while Perak PAS is non committal, saying the proposal should first be discussed by the party’s central committee.

Nik Aziz confirmed to the media in Kota Baharu yesterday the call he made in his blog on Friday that an EGM should be held to rid the party of problematic leaders.

He mentioned three leaders in his blog, namely deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub met Nik Aziz in Kota Baharu yesterday following the “shocking” statement the “Tok Guru” made in his blog.

Federal Territory Umno liaison secretary Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee, who is also Cheras Umno chief, attributed the internal struggle in PAS to Nik Aziz’s political attitude and approach.

“An ulama or tok guru who genuinely fight in the name of Islam won’t have the heart to see disunity among Muslims,” he wrote in the Cheras Umno blog today in which he also expressed shock over Nik Aziz’s statement.

“A true tok guru is someone who shoulders the trust and responsibility in the overall interest of the ummah, above his own self-interest, and not deliberately severs ties among Muslims,” he said.

Syed Ali said the unity government idea mooted by several senior PAS leaders, including its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and Nasharudin, was good for the unity of the Ummah and should not be rejected by Nik Aziz.

Nik Aziz, in defending his stand yesterday, stressed that the call for the EGM was his own and made for the sake of the future of the party, which failed to maintain a winning momentum at the Bagan Pinang state by-election.

He also expressed confidence that the proposal would not cause disunity in the six-decade-old party.