Political analysts believe that the PAS ulama faction may purge the Erdogans - the “progressives” in the Islamist party.

The party’s ulama faction will not allow the Erdogans to erode its sphere of influence, the New Straits Times reported

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer Mazlan Ali said this is especially so as the ulama faction was not only being alienated by PKR and DAP, but also by the progressives in the party.

“If you are thrown into a corner by your own comrades, how would you react? The ulama leaders will do all they can to ensure their survival in PAS.

“Of course, they will never admit to you that such a plan is in the pipeline,” Mazlan told the NST.

'No desire'

The senior lecturer was commenting on PAS ulama council vice-chief Mahfodz Mohamed’s claim that the ulama faction had no desire to stem the growth of any group in the party.

“As the party’s ulama council vice-chief, I categorically deny the existence of any plan to undermine any group or members in PAS,” Mahfodz had said.

However, Mazlan said PAS ulama leaders were “phasing out” in the current political climate, more so with non-Muslim voters favouring the brand of Islam propagated by PAS’ more liberal leaders.

“Based on my research on the ground, there are signs that the ulama faction is planning to strike back at its rivals.

“Members of the faction want PAS to return to its core values, which is to berdakwah (propagate) and preach its conservative brand of Islam.”

Meanwhile, Universiti Sains Malaysia’s political analyst P Sivamurugan said the PAS leadership was torn between the need to adapt to the new political environment and staying true to their core Islamic ideology.

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