With the announcement of nearly all of the PAS’ election results today, the progressive ‘Erdogan’ group has generally maintained its foothold in the Islamic party’s top leadership.

“The results includes some new faces. Only a few people were changed and generally the debates (at the 59th Muktamar) show that the majority of the members want to maintain the party’s policy.

NONE “It indicates that the action taken by the last leadership has been well-accepted,” said Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli ( right ) after the results were announced.

Currently the party’s elections director, Mohd Hatta, who is widely seen as an Erdogan, has retained his seat in the party’s central committee.

Of the 18 central committee posts, 11 were won by candidates who are seen as progressives while the other seven are seen to be affiliated with the ‘ulama faction’.

However, the three vice-president posts are yet to be announced following a vote recount due to an extremely tight race. The results are expected to be announced tomorrow morning.

Here, it is believed that Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man from the ulama faction has won, leaving the other two spots to the Erdogans.

Backing for Pakatan coalition

Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad, who has also retained his central committee seat, appeared to concur with Hatta’s assessment.

“As far as the delegates are concerned, even in the motion brought by the Ulama wing, the purpose is to overcome weaknesses and to further strengthen Pakatan Rakyat.

“The result shows that delegates want us to continue in that direction,” he said.

NONE Khalid ( left ), also seen as an Erdogan, explained that this was because Pakatan has gained more seats in Parliament at the 13th general election despite a strong challenge from BN.

Although PAS has lost a number of seats in the process, he attributed this to poor performance in Kedah, which he said had nothing to do with the party’s involvement in the opposition coalition.

For PAS Supporters wing chief Hu Pang Chaw, he said the Islamic party is on course to becoming a more open party.

Among others, he highlighted the party’s move to elevate PAS Supporters’ Club to a wing within the party and the launch of the Chinese version of the party organ Harakah’s website today.

“I urge non-Muslims not to worry the possibility of PAS changing its policies. They should give us greater support,” he said.