Man up and destroy ‘parasites’ in PAS, former party chief tells Hadi

(Malay Mail Online) – Former PAS leader Datuk Dr Hasan Ali has urged president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to man up and free the party from “parasites” undermining the influence of religious scholars, or ulamas.

Hasan said the mentri besar crisis in Selangor has shown how the “professionals class” has managed to influence the party into “obeying” the decision of Pakatan Rakyat (PR) allies PKR and DAP.

“The parasites are becoming more established, and they’re the ones representing the party in social media or forums. So they’re getting more support, especially from the younger ones aged below 40,” Hasan, also a former Selangor PAS Commissioner, added.

The professional class who take their name from their jobs in the secular world, refers to a more progressive section within the Islamist party. The ulamas are viewed as deeply conservative.

“I think the president has been too soft all this time. He should be a stricter leader and know how to tame his inferiors to make sure the party’s policies do not deviate,” Hasan told Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.

Abdul Hadi needs to use his power as president or risk being taken advantage of, he added.

On Sunday, PAS nominated two candidates to replace Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as mentri besar, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders decided later that day Wan Azizah will be sole candidate for the mentri besar job.

Earlier Hadi and the PAS Ulama Wing indicated backing for Khalid to remain as mentri besar, with support from the party’s spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abd Aziz Nik Mat.