PAS today received a tongue-lashing by its PAS Supporters Congress wing (DHPP) for its culture of slander and labelling members from opposing factions with unkind names.

Its chairperson, N Balasubramaniam in his speech at the ongoing 61st PAS muktamar in Kuala Selangor today, lamented how PAS no longer seemed united.

“We, the DHPP, came to PAS hoping for harmony since Islam teaches good things.

“But today, we are dumbfounded with the slandering, and labelling culture that is happening in the party.

“I am not sure whether there are no prohibitions in Islam to forbid its followers from engaging in slander and labelling each other with unkind labels.

Balasubramaniam asked if there was such a prohibition, why then wasn’t it practised in the party.

“Why didn’t the ulama reprimand those responsible so that such situations stop immediately?” he said, to cheers of 'Allahuakbar' from the crowd.

“If there is such a prohibition in the Quran, I ask that the ulama show me which verse it is from and the translation.

“We (DHPP) want to follow it so that we do not have such culture," he said.

Factional near-enmity

Balasubramaniam’s reprimand would strike a raw nerve amongst some party members.

This is because it has become the norm for supporters of the 'progressive' and ulama factions to name-call each other, as can be observed on social media.

The near-enmity between the two groups was made even more obvious when leaders from the progressives were booed when making speeches during the muktamar.

Balasubramaniam cautioned that such culture could lead to the destruction of the party.

“So prove that this problem can be solved in an Islamic manner,” he said.

Further pointing out that unity was important, he added that without it, Umno and Barisan Nasional would be more united and they would be more deserving of victory.

“And thus, PAS will lose. I am worried that God will not be accepting ( reda ) with our loss because it was due to us not being united," he said.