Mat Sabu on the ulama faction in PAS
INTERVIEW In comparing PAS ulama from several decades ago to the ones today, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu says the ulama from olden days were respected for their character instead of educational background.
“Why was the late (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) respected? It was because of his character.
"When he was Kelantan menteri besar, he lived modestly and declined the privileges given to him," said Mohamad in an interview with Malaysiakini earlier this week.
"He walks the talk, that’s why people respected him even the non-Muslims."
Mohamad - better known as Mat Sabu - added the same could be said for the late (former PAS president) Fadzil Noor, who till his death, fought to uphold the truth and human rights.
"This is the kind of people we want. Whoever wants to be an ulama must have such a character.
"Just because one studied religion, must he or she be automatically regarded as an ulama?" he asked.
He went on to elaborate that he had cited as examples those who have passed away because some ulama in PAS who had initially fought against Umno in the end embraced their bitter rivals and turned against their own party.
Mat Sabu's remark is seen as a subtle jibe against supporters of the ulama faction in PAS who are seen to be amicable with Umno...
INTERVIEW In comparing PAS ulama from several decades ago to the ones today, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu says the ulama from olden days were respected for their character instead of educational background.
“Why was the late (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) respected? It was because of his character.
"When he was Kelantan menteri besar, he lived modestly and declined the privileges given to him," said Mohamad in an interview with Malaysiakini earlier this week.
"He walks the talk, that’s why people respected him even the non-Muslims."
Mohamad - better known as Mat Sabu - added the same could be said for the late (former PAS president) Fadzil Noor, who till his death, fought to uphold the truth and human rights.
"This is the kind of people we want. Whoever wants to be an ulama must have such a character.
"Just because one studied religion, must he or she be automatically regarded as an ulama?" he asked.
He went on to elaborate that he had cited as examples those who have passed away because some ulama in PAS who had initially fought against Umno in the end embraced their bitter rivals and turned against their own party.
Mat Sabu's remark is seen as a subtle jibe against supporters of the ulama faction in PAS who are seen to be amicable with Umno.
Traction among non-Muslims
As for the non-ulama, often dubbed as the professionals, Mat Sabu did not agree with claims that their entry into PAS had led to a drop in public support for the Islamist party.
"The professionals joined PAS from early on. It is not an issue and it’s just played up by quarters who want to make it seem as though the ulama and non-ulama are at odds with each other," he said.
Mat Sabu is not particularly perturbed by the party’s current internal crisis and believes that it will somehow resolve itself.
“Look at PKR last year as well as the Selangor leadership crisis. In the end, it was resolved. I am confident the situation will turn out for the better after the PAS elections," he said.
Mat Sabu expressed the hope that PAS members will vote for leaders who are able to work together with the party’s Pakatan Rakyat allies.
Admitting that Pakatan is not without its own problems, Mat Sabu also noted that PAS on its own would not be able to capture any states.
"The same can be said for PKR and even the DAP, which is a strong party, but it could not capture Penang alone.
“Only with Pakatan, victory was achieved. This is evident in all the five states we won (in the 2008 general election).
"That’s why I’m confident that whatever crisis we have, in the end, come the PAS elections, party delegates will choose those who want Pakatan to continue."
'PAS members confused'
Mat Sabu opined PAS will always have a combination of both ulama and the professionals.
"Since its establishment until now, from the time of (former PAS president) Abbas Alias until the time of Fadzil Noor, such a combination has been around and is needed for the future."
Mat Sabu lamented that party members had been, to a certain extent, influenced by the mainstream media.
"Umno-owned media such as TV3, Utusan Malaysia played a role in splitting PAS. Because they know if PAS is strong and continues to be with Pakatan, Umno will lose in the next general election.
"So for them to win, Pakatan must be split and one of the ways to do so is to split the ulama and professionals in PAS.
"I am certain that Umno does not support the ulama […] they just want to split PAS so that BN wins," he said.
Pushed further on his perception of party members towards both factions, Mat Sabu conceded the members were confused.
"(But) this is just temporary. This confusion is also due to the game played by the media," he said.
Mat Sabu is set to defend his deputy presidency come the PAS elections next month. The PAS muktamar is slated to be held in Selangor from June 4 to June 6.
Part 1: We will snap BN if snap polls called
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