PAS : Which direction now...or to whose direction now?

1. The past week has been hectic for PAS. During their just concluded 55th Muktamar, PAS welcomed a new youth chief, stand by the incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa, voting in 2 new faces as Vice Presidents.
2. It is also noticeable that PAS in it's rebranding exercise has elected 11 reformers and 7 conservatives to the decision-making central committee.
3. In the nutshell, PAS sticks to its age old belief that the ulamas' should be holding the top 2 posts, running the day to day affairs, with Murshidul Am providing guidance to the central committee.PAS delegates had decided. Although many, including this scribe, see Husam Musa as one of the brightest star in PAS, Nasharuddin has better luck beating him for the deputy post. The same about Khalid Samad, the Shah Alam MP who failed to secure a seat in the central committee. He is another unnecessary casualty, as far as this scribe is concerned...
4. For both of them, all is not lost. PAS Central working committee will meet on 11th June to select 6 appointed positions. If PAS wants to remain polpular within the non-Muslim voters, they will appoint these 2. Why ?

• Husam Musa is knowledgeable and he is well prepared in his parliamentary debates especially during the "double tracking project" during Tun M's era;
• Husam Musa is closely associated with Jeff Ooi and other DAP leaders which will make it easier to have pro-active dialogues between the parties;
• Khalid Samad has won the hearts of non-Muslim with his friendly approach;
• Khalid Samad is a firebrand in parliament, an asset for PAS;

5. 55th Muktamar highlighted other things as well. It seems that PR's bonding is still fragile. Hadi Awang's unity talk with BN is not well received by DAP, at least. Hadi has earlier explained that PAS has briefed the issue with PKR and DAP. So, the question is, which DAP and PKR did PAS briefed on the unity talk? Why the confusion? And it should be added that LKY's PAP is going to have meetings with DAP in Malaysia this week. Is that meeting sanctioned by PAS? If DAP feels that it is not subjected to queries in the upcoming meeting with PAP, then why should PAP suspicious on unity talks between PAS and UMNO? And if the unity talk is about strengthening Islam, is it wrong?

6. PKR is not doing well with PAS, either. PKR has distanced itself from PAS's call to ban NGO Sister in Islam. Here, it seems that Wan Azizah's (read Anwar's) led PKR is playing politics with akidah. Is PKR willing to forego "akidah" for political gains? At least, PKR can be more accomodating to PAS if they were to sponsor dialogue/debate between PAS and Sisters in Islam. It is good to know where PAS comes from in arriving to resolution that Sister in Islam should be banned. And likewise, the public would like to knows Sister in Islam's stance in issues concerning "akidah".

7. UMNO, as usual, has pounced on this difference to drive a deeper wedge between PAS and DAP/PKR. Khairy Jamaluddin has openly suggested for the unity talk. Whilst the majority of PAS leaders are against the unity talk, the top 2 PAS men are open to that suggestions, before.

8. And that brings us to a million dollar question - whose music is PAS dancing to now? It has been widely circulated that Nasharuddin did not see any harm in engaging in talks and dialogues with BN. If Nasharuddin, as the deputy President, sees talks and dialogues as fruitful, then why is PAS pushing for ban on Sisters in Islam? Coudn't PAS engage Sisters in talks and dialogues first? Has SIS deviated from the Islamic teachings? If yes, at which point did they deviate? Maybe others may not be interested, but I am...so enlightened me on this issue.

9. PAS needs to clearly define its directions now. Which way will PAS go? PAS has come a long way. The delegates has selected a fair balance of professionals and ulamas. It is time for PAS to prove to all their slogan of "PAS for all" is not sales gimmick.

10. At the same time, PAS has to stand firm with their resolution. If PAS calls for unity talk, then spill out the Terms and Conditions. If PAS calls for Sisters' banning, PAS needs to list out the reasons.

11. PAS must learn and accept that Malaysia is a multi-racial country where the needs may not be confined to the select few. Sisters may be wrong, but PAS needs to highlight where they go wrong. PAS must also understand that the rakyat is currently rejecting BN. It is better for PAS to let BN to sort out their own problems. It is no point for PAS to play "doctor" to revive BN. BN needs its own will power to survive. If BN is strong willed, then BN can discuss openly on unity talk. For now, BN can't even practise "unity" in their practise, as proven in PPP, MCA and Gerakan. If BN can't "unite" under its own flags, how can BN talk about "unity" for Malaysians.

12. PAS is also at the crossroad. Will they offer Husam and Khalid Samad the CWC position? Or will PAS, like UMNO, follows the "winner takes all" concept? Hadi may be the President but can he convince his party members? The delegates has rejected "unity government", will Hadi and Nasharuddin listen? Will it be another "Nakhaie" for PAS?

13. Just a word of advise. The old man Nik Aziz is still there. PAS should well learn from his wisdom then to fall to the brashness of Hadi Awang. Nik Aziz knows UMNO trappings very well but Hadi may not learn from his "fall from grace" lessons when PAS lost Terengganu. Hadi is a fiqh man whilst Nik Aziz drew strength from usuluddin. That is where they differ, from the "hard" stand of fiqh to the "logical" stand of usuluddin. Nik Aziz has proved, time and time again, that his stands are right once the statements are fully understood.

14 PAS has survived 55 years. PAS is so close to Putrajaya. This is the last 10 meters in the 4 x 100 meter relay. PAS has the speed, it has the stamina to go for it...and winning the race, together with PR partners.


Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...