Leaked recordings of apparent closed-door briefings by PAS' top two leaders have recently entered the public sphere, underscoring deep divisions between two major factions.

 

The leaks which appeared online could likely set the tone for the forthcoming PAS annual delegates’ assembly, known as the muktamar, in June which will be electing new office bearers.

 

The first recording was unveiled by PAS-linked blogger Tulang Besi, ostensibly containing portions of a speech by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang ( left ) on the "flexibilities" of "political cooperation".

 

The speaker in the audio clip also said that those who disagreed with this maxim could "leave PAS".

 

"We can cooperate, for example in the division of (who will contest in) constituencies whereby PAS increases its number of seats. This can be done," he said in the clip uploaded on Feb 18.

 

"There are some of us who don’t want PAS get 50 seats, saying it’s enough if PAS gets 10. There are people in PAS like this!

 

"Tahalluf (cooperation) is flexible, it is elastic. We cannot be obsessed and we cannot be pushed around in this cooperation. Some people want to force things on us," Hadi purportedly said in the 49-second clip that is also uploaded on YouTube .

 

When contacted, Hadi’s political secretary Samsuri Mokhtar declined comment.

 

Although the audio clip does not specifically mention arch-rival Umno, the blogger claims that Hadi was justifying apparent efforts to ditch the Pakatan Rakyat coalition which PAS is a member.

 

"The PAS president really believes that Umno will support PAS' efforts to implement the hudud in Kelantan," wrote the blogger.        

 

'Counter attack'

 

Following this, an audio recording which supposedly contains some details of PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu's plot to topple Hadi was uploaded yesterday on a Facebook page which appear supportive of Hadi's faction.

 

The audio clip ostensibly contains Mohamad's voice and him stating that he was making efforts to neutralise Hadi's influence among grassroots.

 

"In the past two to three days, I have been on the counter attack by meeting (several) individuals. Yesterday, I went to Tanjung Karang to meet the (party) commissioner (there), to Sungai Besar to meet the commissioner and two or three committee members.

 

"Generally, the president, who is a great and infallible, must be (inaudible),” the person purported to be Mohamad is heard saying in the recording leaked on the Facebook page Tuc Tok Usin Ceroi.

 

However, the subtitles accompanying the audio clip states that Mohamad had said Hadi must be "denied".

 

The recording continues with the deputy president saying "the other side" is "leading" and that a "counter attack" must be launched by winning over grassroots leaders who are likely to be muktamar delegates.                                        

 

Malaysiakini has contacted Mohamad for comment and is awaiting his response.

 

Royal rumble

 

It is difficult to determine if the audio recordings were authentic as there is evidence of subterfuge being employed in PAS' ongoing tussle.

 

For example, PAS Muslimat (women's wing) elections committee chief Aiman Athirah said that she had been a victim of impersonation after a press release condemning the outcome of the PAS ulama assembly, the multaqa, held last Saturday was attributed to her.

 

Speakers at the multaqa had defended Hadi's leadership and criticised those whom they claim are out to unseat him, including Pertubuhan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa), an NGO led by former Kedah PAS deputy chief Pharolrazi Zawawi ( right ).

 

When contacted, Aiman denied issuing the press release.

 

"I believe this is part of an ongoing 'perception war' launched by certain quarters on PAS leaders who are seen as a threat, including myself.

 

"I do not discount the possibility that it also to influence nominations and party elections which will take place between March to June 2015," she said.

 

PAS has traditionally ousted presidents through the muktamar, albeit not directly voting them out.

 

In 1982, then president Asri Muda’s policy speech was voted down by delegates as a symbolic protest. He was subsequently replaced by Yusof Rawa a year later.

 

In 1986, Yusof himself came under siege when a motion on using the Chinese Consultative Council (CCC) to promote PAS policies to non-Muslims was rejected by the muktamar, even though the idea was promoted in his policy speech.

 

However, he remained PAS leader until 1989 where he stepped down citing health reasons, and gave way to his deputy, Fadzil Noor.