malaysianinsider By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — With no guarantee that a special muktamar would result in a definite outcome, the PAS central committee meeting tonight is expected to seek a compromise.
The idea is to appease supporters of spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat by giving in to some of the demands made by the Kelantan mentri besar.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the party will most likely take action against Selangor PAS chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali in order to avoid convening a special muktamar, which has been described by some PAS leaders as a messy affair.
Leaders aligned to Nik Aziz are also worried that the special muktamar's outcome would not favour the Kelantan leader as was the case at the last party election when most of his men were defeated.
“They will just have to look at the source of Nik Aziz's anger, which is also the problem PAS is facing, and address it,” said a PAS insider who favours a compromise.
“Everything that happens in Selangor affects PAS's image nationwide, and Nik Aziz knows that,” he added.
Nik Aziz, in his statement calling for a special muktamar, had asked the party to get rid of leaders who he described as “problematic” and seen to favour working closely with Umno instead of strengthening Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
He had named Selangor executive councillor Hasan along with PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali as those who have made the party look inconsistent.
Nik Aziz's outburst was said to be caused by the leadership’s refusal to take action against Hasan whose actions cast doubt on PAS's sincerity in working with PR. He was disappointed when criticism against Hasan by Dr Abdul Aziz Bari was met with a strong rebuttal from party information chief Idris Ahmad.
In the commentary, Aziz, an International Islamic University law professor, questioned why no action has been taken against Hasan.
“Above all Hasan has been breaching the constitutional rule that requires a member of the government like him to abide by the collective responsibility principle. It is hard to understand why a formerly high-ranking government official like Hasan did that,” Aziz told The Malaysian Insider.
He said the article was written to explain Hasan's action from the constitutional point of view.
“No agenda behind it. In fact it was quite a shock that parts of it were picked up by Nik Aziz. Anyway as a constitutionalist I am committed to making the essence of the constitution prevail over here; I am not inclined to any political party,” said Aziz.
But some supporters of Nik Aziz will still push for a special muktamar, which can only be called if one-third of the 37 central committee members ask for one tonight.
“The target is still Nasharuddin; he named three names so he wants the three to be out,” said a source close the Kelantan mentri besar.
And for PAS leaders who favour fresh party polls, their excuse is the next general election is still years away and this is the best time for a party to strengthen itself by improving the leadership.
“There is no problem with the line-up now, but if a special muktamar is called, it allows delegates to choose even better leaders to helm the party,” said a Kedah PAS leader.
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