No attempts to topple Hadi, says PAS leader
INTERVIEW There are no efforts to topple the president of PAS, but regimented young ulama are giving the perception that there is such a move, said a PAS leader.
INTERVIEW There are no efforts to topple the president of PAS, but regimented young ulama are giving the perception that there is such a move, said a PAS leader.
PAS central committee member Khalid Samad, who has been in the forefront with his views not to support Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor menteri besar from the start, said there are no attempts in PAS to topple party president Abdul Hadi Awang.
Khalid has strongly sided with PKR in the gameplan to change the menteri besar and has been attacked by the ulama faction for “betraying Hadi”.
Despite his known stance, Khalid Samad stands by his president and said what had happened were normal occurrences of mere disagreements within the party, with no attempt to topple Hadi ( left ) from his post.
“As far as I know, in the last muktamar of PAS there was never anyone who was nominated to contest against Hadi.
“The majority of PAS members have no problems with Hadi but in recent times, we have seen much writings from people in PAS, raising the question of Malay supremacy and such issues.
“Although he (Hadi) looks conservative, the reality is that in meetings, he allows everyone to have their say. He never says, ‘This is my opinion, you must obey’. No such thing,” said Khalid, in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini .
Khalid blamed the younger ulama faction of the party, who he said were holding on to the regimented Middle Eastern Islamist mentality, for giving the perception that there is a move to oust Hadi by disagreeing with him.
“The young ustaz do not see it that way. The meetings always have disagreements and get heated, but work goes on. I have no problems with the personality of Hadi.
“Even though Hadi has some issues with the leaders of other Pakatan parties, his commitment to the coalition is still very strong and with such a commitment, there is no problem for Hadi in PAS.
“We may have differences in opinion but the commitment to Pakatan from PAS is still strong. But there are no differences which may force one to challenge Hadi,” said Khalid.
He added that there will always be those who are dissatified with everything the party or the president does.
“There will always be those who are not satisfied with the leaders but that is normal. I hope during this muktamar all issues will be ironed out with debates and discussions.
‘Living in a regimented approach’
“As far as the internal politicking is concerned, many of the younger ustaz have been in the Middle East and when they come back, they bring along an understanding that does not fit in with the inclusive nature of PAS and they never had the kind of exposure which we had in 90s.
“This leads to friction as they live in a regimented approach enviroment, whereas we are used to arguing with our leaders.
“When we get that cultural difference, we have a problem. For some it is to listen and obey, but for us there is nothing wrong in arguing with any leader at any level.
"For the younger ustaz, they see this as a sign of disrespect. That creates the friction," said Khalid.
Part 2 - PAS leader explains Hadi's attempt to poach Azmin
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