PAS leaders are lying low, reluctant to discuss issues that are to be thrashed out tonight at a special meeting, which will decide if an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) should be called to resolve problems.

tuan ibrahim tuan man Vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (left) , when contacted, would only reiterate that the meeting will focus on the three matters outlined in a blog-posting by spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat

These relate to dissatisfaction with the party in some quarters, the situation of three ‘problematic’ leaders, and ways to strengthen the party.

“The issues will be looked at from all angles. The party will handle the problem. We look at Nik Aziz’s advice as something positive. I hope he will attend the meeting,” said Tuan Ibrahim.

Expressing the hope that leaders will not shy away from voicing their grievances, he added that once a decision is made, we must stand by it and follow it through”.

pas muktamar 55 agm assembly 050609 hadi awang This appears to back an allegation by a source that party president Abdul Hadi Awang has not done enough to enforce decisions made collectively, and that this is the main reason for the party’s troubles.

Other leaders contacted chose to keep mum about the issues affecting the party and the likely outcome of tonight’s meeting.

‘Internal matters’

Another vice-president Mahfuz Omar attributed their reluctance to a need to prevent further speculation.

mahfuz omar 02 “(Holding) the meeting is the reasonable thing to do. Internal party issues should stay within internal party meetings, not discussed in the media,” he added.

Invitations have gone out to the 47 PAS central committee members and state commissioners to attend the ‘clear the air’ meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur at 8.30pm.

salahuddin ayub 01 Salahuddin Ayub (left) , also a vice-president, is said to have met with Nik Aziz, who has entrusted him with a message to be delivered to the central committee.

It is not known if the spiritual adviser himself will attend the meeting, as much depends on his health and schedule.

Under the party constitution, an EGM can be called only by the president or when there is a written request from one-third of the central committee members or one-third of the divisions.