MUKTAMAR East Coast PAS delegates today chastised Mohamad Sabu for contradicting party president Abdul Hadi Awang with his pro-Pakatan Rakyat stance.

Defending those who walked out in a show of protest during the opening of the PAS Youth muktamar on Tuesday, delegates even went as far as calling Mohamad’s sentiment “shameful”.

"Why did our youths walk out on the deputy president? Because he asked clerics to follow Indonesia president Jokowi as example,” said Terengganu delegate Mohd Nor Hamzah on the second day of PAS’s 60th muktamar in Batu Pahat, Johor.

"We do not use Jokowi as an example; he is supported by the United States. We follow the prophet," he added.

Despite several delegates urging action against those who walked out, Mohd Nor said even Prophet Muhammad who faced a similar incident did not demand action against those who boycotted him.

In a jibe aimed at the PAS number 2, Mohd Nor questioned why conservatives were often accused of wanting to collaborate with Umno when those who stand with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deserved more suspicion.

"Socialists are deviant (sesat). They do not have scriptures. They are godless. Why should we work with Parti Sosialis (Malaysia)?" asked Mohd Nor, whose state is Hadi's political fortress.

Mat Sabu feeling the heat

Mohd Nor’s swipe was in response to Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, who in his opening speech at the PAS Youth muktamar said PAS Youth appeared to be losing out to PSM ( left ) in attracting new members.

Kelantan PAS delegate Ahmad Fadhli Shaari was equally blunt, abandoning the usual subtlety and directly singling out Mohamad.

"Openly contradicting the president is shameful," he said.

Mohamad, at the beginning of the Selangor crisis in July, had said Hadi's insistence to back Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who had lost majority support as his "personal opinion".

He added that if action were to be taken against the PAS Youth members who walked out on Mohamad, then action should also be taken against those who leaked information from party meetings.

The exposes were believed to have come from pro-Pakatan leaders within PAS.

Conservatives at the podium

On Tuesday, some 50 of 700 PAS Youth delegates who donned black vests which read "We are with the president and syura council" had walked out when Mohamad took the stage.

Ahmad Fadhli said if he was given the same vest, he too would put it on to show support, claiming that there was a genuine attempt to topple Hadi.

He pointed out that a meeting on Aug 31 in Kota Bharu by Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) - attended by some PAS central committee members - had discussed this matter .

"I have the recording with me and I can play it here but it would be too long," he said.

Mohamad also took some heat from his home state, with Penang PAS delegate Izuri Ibrahim ( left ) took offence at Mohamad's criticism agianst clerics in the party to improve themselves beyond religion.

"It is not that I do not love my leaders who are professionals, including deputy president Mat Sabu, but I stress that the leadership of clerics must be respected,"he said.

Hadi has been at odds with his Pakatan partners over who should be the new Selangor menteri besar.

Mohamad and the PAS central committee which has sided with Pakatan has seen friction with Hadi after the president, backed by the powerful syura council, overruled the rest.

In contrast to yesterday's muktamar session, Mohamad is feeling the heat today as delegates from more conservative-controlled states which are not staunchly behind Pakatan, took the podium.

Avoid mixed signals

However, Mohamad did receive some support at today's session with Negeri Sembilan delegate Mohd Khairil Mohd Wafa ( right ) who urged the syura council to keep its views within the party so that the PAS central committee will not appear inconsistent.

"The syura council shouldn't be too keen on appearing on television or newspapers

"If they can, stay low profile. If there are any views, pass it through (to) the president.

"If there are decisions about the PAS central committee, also pass it to the president," he said.

He added only then can the party ensure people would not be scratching their heads over confused signals coming out of the PAS leadership.

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