MUKTAMAR  Despite several urgings for PAS to reject the Selangor menteri besar position, a senior cleric leader today ruled that the Islamic party should accept the position if offered by the Selangor sultan.

Mahfodz Mohamed, representing the party's Dewan Ulama, elaborated at length based on scriptures that party president Abdul Hadi Awang has the power to overrule the PAS central committee which had decided to reject such an offer.

"The Dewan Ulama proposes that we accept whatever decision made by the Selangor sultan ( right ).

"If it is given to PKR, PAS must accept, but if tuanku gives it to PAS, we will accept.

"Why do we want to make enemies with the palace when Umno has already made enemies with the palace," he told delegates at the 60th PAS Muktamar in Batu Pahat, Johor.

Mahfodz spoke as acting Dewan Ulama chief, standing in for Ahmad Yakob who is absent.

Mahfodz is also a member of the powerful syura council.

Leader has the final say

 

Earlier, Mahfodz, in his winding up speech, specifically asked delegates whether PAS should follow Hadi's decision or the central committee's Sept 7 decision to reject the menteri besar position.

 

He then said the party's constitution is silent on whether the president needed to comply with the central committee but argued this must be read with the Quran.

 

He cited several incidences according to scriptures where leaders had overruled their lieutenants when it comes to important issues.

 

"Therefore I stress the leader has the final say in this matter," he said.

 

Earlier, PAS central committee member Hanipa Maidin ( left ) had criticised the syura council and president for overstepping their powers.

 

He had also urged the party against accepting menteri besar position, warning that the new government would be weak as PKR and DAP would not support it.

This, he said, could result in fresh polls.

 

PAS will suffer in snap polls

 

Meanwhile, PAS vice president Husam Musa did not weigh into the Selangor crisis in detail, but warned that PAS may suffer if snap polls are called.

 

"If snap polls are called, can we maintain all 15 of our state seats? Of the 15 seats, we won nine with a thin majority.

 

"My concern is if we lose seats or the state government, it is not about losing positions but about losing our opportunity for dakwah (missionary works)," he said.