PAS Youth rejects motion to 'defend ulama leadership'

The PAS Youth muktamar narrowly rejected a motion to "defend ulama leadership", after a heated debated by delegates.

As such, the motion will not be brought forth to and debated at the central muktamar tomorrow.

However, PAS Youth muktamar permanent chairperson Misbahul Munir stressed that this does not mean that PAS Youth rejects the ulama.

"If the media report it as such, then we can sue them," he said to loud support from the floor.

The rejection comes in the lead up to the PAS central leadership polls on Saturday, in a contest largely viewed by observers as one that pits the party's two factions - the ulama and the professionals.

The motion, proposed by Gombak delegate Zulhaimi Abdul Karim was to:

• deal with the "internal and external attacks and false allegations" against the ulama institution and syura council;

• provide guidance in the upcoming central leadership polls;

• stress the importance of ulama leadership in PAS; and

• clarify false accusations hurled onto the ulama institution.

Seconding the motion was Klang delegate Abdul Muiz Muhammad, who said that the ulama are now accused of being jumud (backward) and too dogmatic.

He said that the critics speak of justice and maqasid (the purpose of Islamic faith) without referring to scripture and guidance from the ulama.

These views were, however, strongly opposed by several delegates including Kluang delegate Shake Muhammad Omar Ali, who argued that the motion makes PAS appear like it is "afraid of its own shadow".

"There is no real fact presented to show that the ulama institution is truly being attacked," he said.

He was backed by Lembah Pantai delegate Nik Abdul Razak Nik Muhammad Rizuan, who asked the proposer to define what it means to say that the ulama institution is being attacked.

Meanwhile Sandakan delegate Haris Alimuddin opposed the motion by arguing unconstitutionality, as the party's constitution does not specify that only ulama can lead the party.

Not all ustad are ulama

In an emotional argument against the motion, Muhammad Fakhrul Razli of Lumut claimed that there is a smear campaign to label some quarters in the party as "anti-ulama" or being Shiite followers.

"In my phone now are such SMSes and whatsapp messages. Some accuse leaders of being Shiites.

"I would like to ask now, how many of you have problems with Shiism in your divisions? What are we afraid of?" he asked.

It is unclear if he was defending deputy president Mohamad Sabu ( right ), who has been accused of and has denied being a Shiite.

Mohamad is going against Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

Fakhrul also said that some people try to ride on the ulama (religious scholar) label, while they are actually only ustad (religious teachers).

"Some don't even study religion!" he cried out, prompting Misbahul to remind him to be patient and careful with his words.

Misbahul also stopped delegates from identifying the victims of the so-called smear campaign or those accused of being behind it.

From the media gallery, it appeared that about half of the delegates stood to support the motion, while the other half stood against it.

"Are those up there from the media or delegates?" Misbahul asked as he tried to ascertain the vote, prompting media personnel who stood up to get a better view of the heated voting to quickly sit down.

Commenting on this in his speech later, outgoing Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan said those who support the motion need not be disappointed as it was rejected based on "technicalities" of its contents.

"Those who rejected it should also not misunderstand those who brought the motion," said Nasruddin, who is leaving the Youth wing after 28 years.