‘Self-correcting’ PAS is Umno’s worst nightmare
In PAS, the voice of delegates and members weigh much more on the decisions taken by its party leaders, unlike in Umno.
The victory of non-ulamaks in so many party positions must be seen as what they really are – a self-correction measure undertaken by PAS adherents to moderate its image, but never its content.
Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, Free Malaysia Today
Umno talks about transformation but PAS is the party that concerts that into action. Umno does not even dare hold its party elections fearing that the party will be more divided.
Umno hasn’t got the stomach to get rid of its old blood.
If PAS does not break-up having had its party elections, then the Umno leadership will have a tough time defending postponing its party elections.
Even Umno people will go away convinced that holding back elections is really an excuse by the Umno leadership to self-perpetuate.
Hence all the cock and bull story about disunity and such.
Meanwhile the victory of the so called Erdogan faction in PAS has got Ibrahim Ali provoked.
He reacted by saying the victors are opposition coalition chief Anwar Ibrahim’s voice in PAS.
Ibrahim’s outbursts are likely to be dismissed as the ranting of a loony bin and the eternal busybody.
By the way, this ‘Erdogan’ and non-Erdogan thing is a fiction created by those who are fearful of PAS.
I don’t see a change in the fundamental basis of PAS’s struggle with the ascension of the less-ulamak elements in PAS.
An attempt to divide
The whole of PAS’ body politics – whether ulamak or non-ulamak – remains whole and integral and is likely to reaffirm its commitment to Islamic politics.
I am sure the description of PAS as such is likely to be seen as an attempt to drive a wedge in the solidarity of PAS members.
I am more inclined to believe that such a commitment to a struggle is alien to the present generation of Umno people who have a different political culture.
Umno struggles about getting a share in the MRT project. Umno struggles to get a lion share of the UDA Pudu Jail redevelopment project. Umno fights for big businesses.
Umno fights for increasing electricity tariffs so that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) make more profit and prices of goods and services using energy get passed on to consumers.
For Ibrahim Ali, the eternal busybody and the pompous windbag, what happens inside PAS is of no relevance to him.
His comments are unsolicited and carry no weight at all.
Ibrahim, who borrowed the PAS shell in the last elections, will have no vehicle to go into elections this time.
If Umno allows Ibrahim to hitch a ride, there is something very wrong in Umno.
Don’t underestimate PAS zeal
But what happens in PAS has much bearings on Umno. Umno’s worse nightmares are now becoming real.
Mohamad Sabu (better known as Mat Sabu), has won the party deputy presidency with 420 votes.
He leads a group of leaders to counter conservatives who are said to prefer to link up with Umno.
I hesitate to refer them as progressives.
We can’t underestimate their (PAS) zeal towards Islamic politics; they differ only in approach.
The suggestion that PAS wants to link up with Umno has always been a non-issue. PAS operates differently from Umno.
The voice of delegates and members weigh much more on the decisions taken by party leaders.
And PAS has the influence of its Dewan Ulamak.
That inference I think is a figment in the imagination of some people and probably a manifestation of hope for redemption from a more besieged party – Umno.
It is Umno that has been harping on Malay unity which when translated actually means – please save us, we want to stay in power.
No need for Umno
The reality has always been that the majority of PAS members who are Malays probably have no desire to supplant their Malay-ness by teaming up with Umno.
PAS simply does not need Umno to reaffirm and remind them that they are Malay first.
They are already Malays and can also justifiably claim, to be more Islamic in conduct and behavior.
The victory of non-ulamaks in so many party positions must be seen as what they really are – a self-correction measure undertaken by PAS adherents to moderate its image, but never its content.
What is the typical image of PAS?
It’s an Islamic party portraying the image of a spiritual and other worldly organization.
It’s a party filled with wide-eyed mullahs, patrolling the streets enforcing dress code, unshaved chins and mandatory use of skull caps, hijab and so forth.
Umno on the other hand projects a temporal and secular image.
So what has PAS now become? It has become a spiritual and less other-worldly.
The later description conjuring the image of an uncompromising and harsh Taliban-esque organization bent on imposing harsh laws on the populace.
Viable alternative
By correcting itself, PAS can succeed better at making itself more relevant to society.
Why would PAS need Umno?
I think the victory of the moderates in PAS who will change the character of PAS from one party with Taliban-esque inclinations to a party of rational Islam, actually strikes fear in Umno.
Now, PAS with the new leadership line up offers a very credible and viable political leadership to the Malays.
The new line up also allays fears within the non-Muslim community who can see PAS now as a realistic political party.
This strikes Umno in two areas.
PAS can now offer an alternative to Malays and therefore will further erode Umno’s already dwindling monopoly over Malay votes.
Secondly, it can appeal to non-Muslims who are tired of Umno’s bully tactics and its cowardly support of Perkasa’s Malay agenda.
The trio who won the vice-presidential posts are well known non-conservative Islamists.
They are incumbent Salahuddin Ayub who took top spot with 753 votes.
Kelantan senior councillor Husam Musa was second with 660 votes while another incumbent Mahfuz Omar kept his post with 616 votes. Both Salahuddin and Mahfuz were incumbents.
