Ulama set to dominate PAS
(The Star) – A formidable force that wants the ulama presence to be dominant is set to make waves at the PAS elections in November.
The Ulama Haraki (galvanising ulama) have started their campaign ahead of the 13th general election and is said to be a force to be reckoned with at the upcoming PAS muktamar.
At its previous party polls in 2011, PAS saw an erosion of the ulama influence with massive defeats of these candidates in favour of the non-ulama and the Anwaris factions (the latter being aligned to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim).
This time around some key Anwaris stalwarts risk being ousted, among whom are central committee members Dr Hatta Ramli, Dr Dzulkefli Ahmad and Khalid Samad. All three are parliamentarians.
Dr Hatta, the Kuala Krai MP, is facing resistance for saying PAS should be willing to sacrifice seats for the Anwar-headed PKR in the spirit of comradeship.
Dr Dzulkefli, of Kuala Selangor, was targeted for making controversial statements pertaining to religious pluralism.
A statement by Khalid, the Shah Alam MP, that PAS members were not obligated to abide by decisions made by the Syura Council as they were not “divine revelations” has been posted on the Facebook page, Kami Bersama Ulama Muda Haraki.
The passion and strength of the undercurrent movement is expected to be gauged at the upcoming Ulama Haraki Spearheading Victory forum in Kedah, due to be held at the state PAS headquarters in Kota Sarang Semut on Saturday.
PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan said that the ulama should rise again in the party.
“Now is the time to show the ulama are not just ‘punching bags’ that could be yelled at, questioned, ridiculed and used as pawns and tools,” he said, adding that they should move out from their comfort zone and rise to the challenges faced by Muslims and the Islamic movement.
PAS Mursyidul Am Nik Aziz Nik Mat had also signalled his support for ulama leadership in PAS.
The retired Kelantan mentri besar wants incumbent president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to remain at the helm but he wants the No 2 post to also be held by an ulama.
This essentially means that the current party deputy president does not have the blessings of Nik Aziz although Mohamad Sabu had said that he would defend his post.
Meanwhile, Hadi would face potential challengers in Padang Serai PAS chairman Fauzi Tahir and party vice-president Datuk Husam Musa.
Fauzi had openly offered to contest while Husam’s supporters had used Facebook and flyers to gauge support for the Salor assemblyman.
The recently-created Facebook page Anak Muda Menyokong 100% Husam Musa Sebagai President PAS has so far collected 1,124 ‘likes’.
