Post-Nik Aziz, will PAS-Umno unity talks resurface?
PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is seen by many as the “solidifying factor” within the Islamist party. His tough stand against any from of cooperation with Umno is replicated in kind by party loyalists.
But once the 79-year-old Nik Aziz steps down, what happens to the party stand? Will pro-Umno factions within the party resurface?
“With a party as big as PAS, there are definitely going to be a difference of opinions. Some may have other views for the party, you cannot change this,” said a PAS central committee member who wanted to remain anonymous.
He was commenting on the possibility of a faction of PAS leaders pushing for a renewal of PAS-Umno talks once Nik Aziz steps down as the spiritual leader.
But other members within the Islamist party’s influential central committee insist that the committee will provide the “check and balance” once Nik Aziz steps down as to ensure any unity talks with Umno remain buried forever.
“The president does not have absolute power. The central committee is a democracy. When the president decides something, it is subject to the approval of the central committee. Only when we decide on it, then it can be approved.
“I am very confident that it will not be an issue,” PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub told The Malaysian Insider.
PAS treasurer Dr. Hatta Ramli said the committee served as a “check and balance” factor to ensure that fair decisions were carried out in the collective interests of the party, and not just a few individuals.
He told The Malaysian Insider that what mattered at the end of the day was that a “consensus” was reached on the party’s future direction.
“The committee exists as a check and balance measure for the party. It is not necessary that everyone agrees with whatever the committee decides. That is not important.
“It’s the consensus that matters,” said Dr. Hatta.
But the Kuala Krai MP was mum on whether factions within PAS would push for a renewal of unity talks with Umno once Nik Aziz is out of the picture.
“I’m not ruling out anything,” said Dr. Hatta.
Another central committee member, Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the party had seen through its fair share of troubles, and was confident of the party’s future and survival in Pakatan Rakyat post-Nik Aziz.
“This is the dynamics of PAS. We have been through so much. We have to remain consistent and unified.
“The central committee, the majlis syura acts as a safety net for the party, a check and balance into the right direction.
“One person cannot change the party’s stand,” the Kuala Selangor MP told The Malaysian Insider.
