Delegates at the 56th PAS General Assembly seem to be more daring now to speak out on the party's internal problems and weaknesses.

However, there is concern among some party quarters whether speaking about the party's internal problems openly will be good for the party or will instead damage its credibility.

Even among the PAS ulama, they appear to be more open now; different from what they used to be, silent amd always compromising in all matters, especially the party's internal politics.

This change could be seen at the PAS Dewan Ulama assembly held at the party's spiritual centre in Machang yesterday.

Penang Dewan Ulama delegate Mohd Fauzi Yusof raised the issue of "cah keting" or back-stabbing which he said had been happening due to the lesser role played by the ulama wing in educating and creating awareness among party members.

"I urge that the Dewan Ulama play a serious role in educating party members including the ulama in order to check unhealthy trends like 'cah keting'," he  said.

He feared that there would be factions in the party if this unhealthy element was allowed to persist.

The Dewan Ulama delegates were also vocal on the absence of the picture of party deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa on posters, banners and stage backdrop in the assembly hall, raising questions over the credibility and popularity of the party's No. 2, who is Bachok member of parliament.

This was inevitaby linked to the issue of the Umno-PAS unity government proposed by certain PAS leaders including Nasharuddin, but it's already a closed chapter as far as PAS is concerned, especially its spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat who strongly opposed the idea.

One the delegates questioned why the role of the ulama in PAS was not being appreciated, as no delegate from the Dewan Ulama received any award at the muktamar (assembly) on Thursday night.

He said it was disheartening that only delegates from the other party wings, Dewan Muslimat (Women) and Dewan Pemuda (Youth), received awards.

The awards were presented to the recipients by Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar.

Dewan Muslimat head Nuridah Mohd Salleh said the women members should avoid finding fault with others or nit-picking just because they had conflicting opinions.

She said varied opinions and approaches offered should be treated as a blessing.

"We should manage opinions wisely based on religious principles in order to make sound decisions," she said when addressing the Dewan Muslimat at the wing's 50th assembly yesterday.

Nuridah also advised the women party members not to make irrational criticism that could be hurtful and cause loss of respect between leaders and members.

- Bernama