Anger at Hadi in forum by PAS’s pro-Pakatan faction

By admin-s On Sep 9, 2014

(TMI) – “No Islamist party ever views its leaders as infallible. If they do, they do not understand the concept of obedience towards the leader.”

Newly-formed Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia’s (PasMa) first forum last night saw audience members expressing anger towards PAS and its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for his role in the Selangor menteri besar (MB) crisis.

“Since Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was expelled from PKR for defying the party’s orders, what kind of punishment will Hadi face for going against his party’s decision on the MB post?” asked one member of the audience, prompting applause from the packed hall at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).

Panellists at the forum, titled “PAS and Umno: where are they headed?”, included PasMa president Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi, PAS central committee member Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and constitutional law expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari.

Others in the audience complained how “silly” PAS looked in its handling of the crisis, with one questioning why “moderate” faces of the party such as Mujahid, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Khalid Samad had to explain to the public problems caused by other party members.

Mujahid was careful in his answer, explaining to the 500 people present that PAS would not work with Umno, and that Hadi was not considered infallible by the party.

“You can assume all you want that PAS wants to be with Umno. But I want to say in front of everyone, PAS has no plans or intentions to ever ally itself with Umno,” he said to loud applause from the multi-racial crowd.

However, Phahrolrazi did not mince his words. He said PAS’s actions did not reflect the party’s constant reiterations that it wished to remain with Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

“Sometimes we see PAS reaffirming that it will always stay with PR, but this is not so clear in its actions,” he said to the crowd’s agreement.

“It cannot be denied that Umno’s agenda is to weaken PR, and that its tentacles have reached into PAS and influenced some of its members.

“We have seen this happening. (Former PAS deputy president) Ustaz Nasharuddin (Mat Isa), for example, is very intimate (with Umno) and follows the prime minister everywhere, but he has not been sacked yet.”

PasMa president Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi, PAS central committee member Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and constitutional law expert Dr Abdul Aziz Bari at the forum in Kuala Lumpur, last night. – The Malaysia Insider pic by Afif Raiezal, September 9, 2014.Phahrolrazi stressed that if PAS were to quit the pact and go it alone, it was enough to benefit Umno, as the people would no longer have an alternative government to turn to.

“PasMa is very concerned with PR’s fate. If PR falls, we will return to the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s where only one party ruled and the people had no choice,” said the former Kedah PAS deputy commissioner.

“Politics can only be healthy if the rakyat have a choice, and those in power are aware that they can be removed from office by the people.”