MUKTAMAR In a break from convention, Federal Territories PAS delegate Azhari Ariffin today chose to lead fellow delegates in prayer instead of giving a speech at the muktamar.
 
The prayer, however, raised eyebrows after it turned out to be a bashing fest against pro-Pakatan Rakyat leaders including PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu and state assemblypersons Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang) and Hasnul Baharuddin (Morib).
 
"We pray that the deputy president will not issue statements that is against the president, that they will understand the meaning of loyalty.
 
"Do not allow a drop of dye to spoil the pot of milk, now we have two dyes - one Cap Hulu Kelang and one Cap Morib - they are very poisonous dyes," he said as he put his hands together in prayer.
 
The prayer went on for over 25 minutes despite the muktamar permanent chairperson Abu Kassim Abdullah repeatedly telling him to cut it short.
 
Towards the end, an angry delegate, Ridzwan Abu Bakar from Kuala Kedah, rushed up to the podium and demanded that Azhari be reprimanded.
 
"We want a ruling from the permanent chairperson. Is it right to use prayer to bash other people in the party?
 
"Is this the character of a Muslim? Some non-Muslims here are already questioning is this Islam's teaching,” he exclaimed.
 
However, security, manned by Unit Amal turned off the microphone and ushered him away as Abu Kassim urged calm.
 
Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, has been getting flak from the ulama faction after he criticised the ulamas for not being relevant with the times. 
 
Saari and Hasnul had, in the Selangor menteri besar saga, defied party orders not to support PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

‘Use of prayer is inappropriate’

Speaking to the press later, Ridzwan said he did not take issue if there are delegates who are upset with Pakatan, but said the use of prayer to express their dissatisfaction was inappropriate.

“When he expresses this through prayer, all of us are forced to raise our hands.

“And in that prayer, he expresses all kinds of dissatisfaction against many quarters,” he said.

He added that this could have been a reaction to yesterday’s muktamar session which was dominated by pro-Pakatan delegates.

“Even Terengganu earlier talked about its unhappiness about Pakatan and it’s okay if it is done through arguments, but not through prayer,” he said.

Earlier, in the prayer, Azhari also indicated his dissatisfaction with PAS’ Pakatan allies regarding the Selangor menteri besar crisis.

“Allah, we do not want that for the sake of defending tahaluf siyasi (political cooperation) we are disrespectful of the sultan. We do not want a tahaluf where our partners fish for our state assemblypersons to become traitors.

“We do not want traitors, open our hearts to review this tahaluf siyasi, Allah please make sure that this tahaluf continues to benefit us and if not show us the right way,” he said.

PKR and DAP has insisted on only submitting Wan Azizah’s name as candidate for menteri besar even though the Selangor palace asked for more than two names for consideration.

PAS complied with the palace’s request, but omitted Wan Azizah’s name even though initially agreeing to endorse her.

The new Selangor menteri besar, who has yet to be named, is expected to be sworn in on Tuesday.

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