After 15 years at the top, it is hard to measure up to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

 

This is according to PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat, when asked whether the number one PAS leader should to be challenged in the coming party elections.

 

“It is hard to challenge him and there are no leaders in the party who are on par with him,” Suhaizan said in an interview with Malaysiakini .

 

While Hadi, 67, is head and shoulders above other leaders in PAS, Suhaizan believes he could better use his stature to unite the party, which is now fraught with a bitter factional war.

 

“After (former PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat)’s passing, Hadi is the person PAS members lean on (for support).

 

“Apart from being an important leader in the party, he is the leader who can unite the members in the party,” Suhaizan said, choosing his words carefully.

 

Admitting discontent within the party over the president’s decision-making methods, he said all party members nevertheless abided by Hadi’s decisions.

 

The interview was conducted a few hours before the Kota Bharu PAS division announced its nomination of incumbent vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for the president’s post.

 

Although Tuan Ibrahim was quick to decline the nomination, his is the first nomination against Hadi, who retained the post uncontested for seven consecutive party elections.

 

The nomination is even more remarkable when one considers that there has never been a direct contest for the president’s post in the party’s 63-year history.

 

Father figure

 

Commenting on the nomination, the ever-guarded Suhaizan believes it is “too early” to determine who will emerge as PAS president at the party leadership elections in June.

 

“We still view Hadi as a symbol who unites PAS members and he is a source of reference as well as a father to all,” said Suhaizan.

 

What then, is the president’s stand on the factional tussle which involved leaked recordings and physical assaults against leaders?

 

Suhaizan ( right ) told Malaysiakini that Hadi had denied the party was experiencing a “major crisis”.

 

“Hadi told us that it is not a crisis, but instead an ‘ihtilaf’ (differences of opinion). ‘Ihtilaf’ is something normal and cannot be avoided. What’s important is how the differences are managed,” he said.

 

However, Suhaizan himself is more willing to accept that factionalism exists in the party.

 

The Youth chief, who is widely seen as a progressive professional, was narrowly elected two years ago at the last party elections, while his running mates crashed out of the race.

 

This left him at the top, with the weight of the team not on his side.

 

Playing down the issue, Suhaizan nevertheless believes that after all is said and done, both factions agree on one thing - Islam must be upheld.

 

Hoping party will stay together

 

The Johor-born engineer also remains optimistic on the party’s chances of staying as one entity.

 

“Our hope is that the party is united, although we have differences.

 

“PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali said the party has never split into two. Even if there are disagreements, there will be splinter groups, but not two different groups.

 

“Our hope after the party elections is that all quarters in the party will be united and can continue to give hope to all Malaysians,” he said.

 

Factional fights within PAS are heating up in the lead-up to the polls. PAS election director Dr Hatta Ramli’s car was torched while PAS central working committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was physically assaulted.

 

Although the culprits have yet to be identified, there is talk that the incidents may be related to the internal feud within the party, between the moderate “professionals” and the conservative ulama.

 

The jury is still out on the leaked recording purportedly of deputy president Mohamad Sabu - who is seen linked to the progressive faction - plotting to oust Hadi, and Suhaizan has his lips zipped on this.

 

“If that is a case, it will be brought to the disciplinary board for the next course of action.”

 

Ever careful with his words, this is the furthest Suhaizan would venture.