Q&A: 'Nik Aziz bites like a Komodo'

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini , political analyst and constitutional law expert Abdul Aziz Bari shared his views on the Islamic-based opposition party PAS.

The University Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) lecturer touched on various issues and was critical of party president Abdul Hadi Awang's leadership.

Among others, he said, the veteran politician had run out of steam and did not fit into the mould of contemporary politics.

He also talked about the lack of strong leadership in the Islamic party and explained some of the causes behind it.

Abdul Aziz was seen as the man whose article on the PAS leadership had prompted the party's spiritual leader to call on Hadi and a number of pro-Umno PAS leaders to quit.

Nik Aziz quoted Abdul Aziz's article in his blog posting calling for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to trash out the matter.

However, at a top-level party meeting last Thursday, PAS decided against an EGM but will hold a seminar instead, which is slated for tomorrow.

Below are excerpts from the hour-long interview held at his office in Gombak today.

Malaysiakini: Your article has caused quite a stir, what are your comments on this.

Abdul Aziz: The article is not the issue, people are angry about the article, but there are only some of it that refers to the matter (Hadi's leadership traits).

The issue is not about Aziz Bari and or what Aziz Bari wrote. The issue touched about was Hadi.

What are your views on Hadi's leadership?

His statement on the UG (unity government) issue, that is not the statement of a politician, that is the statement of a missionary. He has bad PR, he did not learn (PR) and he has not been taught (about it).

The people around him may have talked to him about it but he did not listen. This is probably why Dr Syed Azman resigned as his political secretary. He (Syed Azman) is tired of it (advising Hadi). He is surrounded by what PAS people say are his cronies.

People even ask, when the opportunity arises, "When is he going to quit?" This is unprecedented in PAS, especially under the ulama (religious scholars) leadership.

He is not a political leader. I think, that when he lost in Marang (parliamentary seat in the 2004 elections), and he had to really struggle to win (the seat back again last year), that is a very clear indication of this fact. He is not the kind of leader to lead a large party like PAS.

Hadi does not have Nik Aziz's political acumen. Everyone knows this but nobody wants to say it out loud. In fact, I think the reason I am called to the seminar (tomorrow) is so that I, as a very vocal outsider, can voice it out for them.

Some see him as a 'puppet' (of his followers)

That is difficult to deny. We can see some of it in the press conferences after the PAS marathon special meeting (where some leaders were seen feeding the president information while he was speaking to reporters).

How can he redeem himself?

The test and challenge for Hadi and his supporters is to win back Terengganu.

What about PAS' role in Pakatan Rakyat?

PAS is a big party, the biggest in the context of Pakatan Rakyat. With the most members, the most resources and it is the most senior party. In fact if PAS were to have a leader (president) like its spiritual advisor Nik Aziz or Anwar Ibrahim, PAS would be the leading member of Pakatan. At least effectively. But in today's condition, PAS is only the 'tent erector' in Pakatan (assigned to a supporting role).

Why is PAS only successful in Kelantan

?

The Kelantanese are the 'Chinese' amongst the Malays, those whom embody the very Chinese values with their openness and their innovations and are not afraid to do things differently.

On the negotiations with Umno

If the one doing the negotiating with Umno is Anwar Ibrahim, Nik Aziz or Lim Kit Siang, there's no problem. But if it is Hadi, deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa or the others, they will be manipulated and taken advantage of by Umno. This is because we know full well the level of their competency (or lack there of).

What are your views on Nik Aziz?

Nik Aziz is in a different class. His 'bite' is like the bite of a Komodo lizard. You won't die immediately from it, but in the long run, the person bitten will surely die. This is the bite of a politician who is savvy and competent

Who has the capabilities to lead PAS?

In my opinion and from what I hear, (Kedah Menteri Besar and state PAS commissioner) Azizan Abdul Razak can be put forward as a possible candidate to lead PAS. Some say he is a bit older than the current president. But age is not the measure, it is the ability to lead.

He has done well in his administration of Kedah and its finances as seen in the latest audit report. He has also demonstrated the leadership acumen in his handling of the issues in Kedah and fielding questions from reporters, which in my opinion is way better than Hadi.

On the kind of leadership that PAS needs

PAS is a party with its own strength. What it needs is a leader with an understanding of that and who is clear in his actions. We don't necessarily need someone charismatic like Anwar Ibrahim.

What happened to PAS in Bagan Pinang

There are those among the Chinese who say they want to teach PAS a lesson There may be many factors for the loss but the question to be asked is why are there only 100 PAS members (in Bagan Pinang). Why was the number not increased after the last general election.

This points at the lethergy in PAS, that it failed to grow in Bagan Pinang. PAS does not present an attractive image at the moment.

But BN must be careful. Bagan Pinang may be like Ijok syndrome to them. Liverpool and Manchester United for example, Liverpool beat Manchester United in one game and they think they already won the league.

Your views on Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali

Umno is portraying PAS and the Pakatan state government as not being able to do the job. And Hadi is helping this by not taking action against Hasan. Even after the special meeting, Hadi still defended Hasan. He continues to say 'Selangor! Selangor! Selangor!' without saying the name Hasan Ali.

Is he afraid of Hasan?

I have always said that Hasan Ali can do as he pleases, provided that he resigns from his post and becomes a backbencher. Then he won't be shackled by the doctrine of collective responsibility. It is important to build the image of a strong and united Pakatan government.

It is strange that I don't see this in an ex-ranking member of the government like Hasan. He should know about this most important concept of governance.

On why Husam Musa lost in his bid for deputy presidency

Husam took too long before taking actions. Like most PAS members he thinks more of the party than personal gains. So he delays and that is why he lost. Unlike in Umno where the leaders only think of their self advancement in politics.

But in fact, if we were to combine the votes for Mohammad Sabu (another deputy presidential candidate) and Husam, they actually got more than Nasahruddin.

Nasahruddin is also more favourable because he is seen as the compromise candidate, who exhibits both the qualities of the ulama and professional. But if we were to hold another election, I don't think that Nasharuddin will repeat his victory.

What are the stumbling blocks for PAS?

As we can see in Turkey and in Tunisia, Islamic parties that have succeeded in rising to administer a nation which includes non-Muslims are parties that are able to bring their message and understanding of Islam outside of their box.

But PAS is too insular. The paradox is, it calls itself a party for all but it is struggling with trying to keep safe its old identity instead of embracing change. In its current state, PAS cannot lead, it can only be a member of Pakatan.

A catchy slogan like 'PAS for all' needs someone with a real understanding of the concept to lead the party. Maybe PAS needs to bring in more progressive minds to its leadership.

Academic: Hadi is 'Pak Lah of PAS'