A critical week for PAS

As talks among political party members revolve around national strategic investment agency, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), all eyes are on the fate of PAS central leadership which will be determined at the party election in June.

This time around, the election is considered the most fierce, especially after candidates have taken their campaigns a few notches higher.

Candidates have opted the social media as a campaign tool in their quest to clinch the top position in the party.

In a rather awkward manner, PAS candidates chose to use the social media platform to smear and even sow dissension between the two camps -- pro-clerical and pro-PR progressive.

PAS election campaign gets heated up as candidates coined terms such as 'DAP Slave' or 'Gang UG' (Unity Government Gang) as their ammunition against leaders contesting in the elections.

The elections will take place during the 61st PAS general assembly (Muktamar PAS 61) from June 4 to 6 in Kuala Lumpur.

'DAP Slave' is a label given to a group of progressive pro Pakatan Rakyat, while the 'Gang of UG' is for pro Ulama.’

The intense heat of the electorate started at the party's 60th conference in Batu Pahat, Johor last year. Sone leaders claimed to have felt the heat they have been 'silently' attacked and boycotted by some quarters within the party.

The bickering reached a critical level after a 'drama' unfolded at the assembly after several PAS representatives stormed out of the hall when PAS deputy president, Mohamad Sabu was delivering his opening speech at the Dewan Pemuda conference.

There were hues and cries over the drama and a segment in the party was said to be deeply unhappy about several rebellious PAS members who are seen as unsupportive of president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

The latter was quoted as saying that leaders will be 'killed' in a clash for power within the party.

Inevitably, the incident is a clear indication that there will be a fierce battle at this year's election.

Since party wing meeting took place this year, many can already predict the make up of both groups -- but in the pro-ulama camp, things are looking up for them -- they seem clearly structured and have managed to gain control over a majority of party wings around the country.

It seems the table has turned. The ideological core seen in some areas (previously controlled by the pro-progressive) -- such as Kubang Pasu, Alor Setar, Padang Serai, Batu and Bukit Bintang -- has morphed into the ideals of those in the ulama camp.

The emergence of young and ambitious ustaz in the party hierarchy has also earned them spots in the candidates’ list.

The focus of existing and upcoming representatives on Abdul Hadi’s leadership is threatened by external and internal elements as well as ulama's leadership survival.

On paper, a leader within a pro-ulama group has surpassed the comfort zone to triumph, while a leader in the progressive group is far behind.

The election this time around is said to be inclined towards block, and if this happens, a major change in the PAS Central Working Committee (CWC) will occur.

The primary concern is the direction of the party after the muktamar. If PAS leadership is dominated by a slew of young ustaz, known as ‘PAS Retro’, what’s left for Pakatan Rakyat, choose to be independent or form a coalition with UMNO?

The other focus is on the defeated group, will they opt to remain silent or to try their luck again in the next round of election, or choose to exit PAS and form a new party? Forming a new political party may seem easy but gaining sufficient support is arguably a Herculean task.

History has proven that, the sore losers will exit the party and form a new one but this move is not the best remedy as fragments of PAS which had gone to form a new party such as Hizbul Muslimin Malaysia (HAMIM).

The party was formed in 1983 by former PAS president, Tan Sri Dr Asri Muda.

The day of reckoning is looming closer. PAS representatives must think of the aspiration of the people than fulfilling the needs of the party in its crusade to dominate PAS CWC.

In one week’s time, Malaysians wait with bated breath of what the outcome will be. Indeed, it will be a critical week for PAS.