Former PAS vice-president Ahmad Awang has been appointed as general adviser for the new Islamist party set to be formed at end of this month.

Although the position is seen as similar to that of the PAS' mursyidul am (spiritual leader), Ahmad believes there are differences between the two posts.

As general adviser, Ahmad said, he would not be involved in the party's executive matters and would only focus on the council of advisers, which consists of experts in fields such as economy and banking.

Ahmad said the council of advisers will also consist of members from both the ulama and professional camps.

"Our council of advisers is not the same as PAS' syura council. In PAS, those in the syura council are also the same people as in the executive," he told Malaysiakini .

"We are not like that, we (the advisers) will not be involved in the matters of the executive. This way, there will not be the issue of the syura council member also being the party president."

Under wraps for now

Asked about the other individuals who would also be in the council, Ahmad said this matter could not be disclosed, for now.

"It can't be announced yet," he said.

Ahmad lost in his bid to challenge PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for the latter's post at the party's muktamar in June.

Since then, a splinter group ( photo above ) from PAS, named Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB), has emerged with the aim of forming a new Islamist party.

The new party, which has yet to be named, is set to be announced on Aug 31.

 

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