PAS Risks Being Burdened with Hardline Image, Analyst Warns
PETALING JAYA: PAS risks being burdened with a hardline image once again if technocrats such as vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar are no longer part of its leadership, an analyst said.
Tawfik Yaakub, Universiti Malaya
Tawfik Yaakub, a researcher at Universiti Malaya, warned that a failure to manage the issue could lead to a repeat of the Islamic party’s 2015 polls which saw the "Erdogan" faction, comprising professionals, leave after clashing with the party’s more conservative "ulama" bloc.
The "Erdogan" Faction and the Party’s Future
The "Erdogan" faction, led by Mohamad Sabu, went on to form Amanah. Tawfik emphasized that there are camps within PAS which are trying to subvert a push for Samsuri to be its next president, as they are not comfortable with the idea of a more open-minded and professional leader at the helm.
Samsuri’s Comments and the Party’s Future
Samsuri recently stated that he may not seek re-election to a post he has held since 2019. He also expressed that he does not consider himself qualified to take over the party’s top post following speculation that the top two posts were likely to be contested for the first time in 10 years.
The Rise of Hardliners
The rise of hardliners within the party could lead to an erosion of support from among those aligned to Samsuri, Tawfik warned. This could result in PAS being viewed as run by hardliners and may ultimately affect the party’s ability to govern at the federal level.
Ilham Centre’s Executive Director’s View
Hisommudin Bakar, executive director of think tank Ilham Centre, suggested that Samsuri’s comments indicated he was upset after becoming the target of personal attacks from within the party. These attacks on the non-ulama faction could see less professionals join the party in future, he said.
Conclusion
PAS’s future is at stake as it navigates the current leadership crisis. The party’s ability to balance its hardline and moderate factions will determine its success in the coming years. The party must prioritize democracy and transparency to ensure its survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation within PAS?
A: There is a leadership crisis within PAS, with speculation surrounding the top two posts being contested for the first time in 10 years.
Q: What are the potential consequences of Samsuri’s decision not to seek re-election?
A: Samsuri’s decision could lead to the rise of hardliners within the party, resulting in an erosion of support from among those aligned to him.
Q: How will this affect PAS’s ability to govern?
A: The party’s ability to balance its hardline and moderate factions will determine its success in the coming years.