PAS delegates attending the party's 51st national convention ( muktamar ) have expressed their disgust at the unethical lobbying by certain factions in the party in promoting their candidates running for the various posts.

The youth wing's newly elected vice chief Mazlan Aliman urged the party leadership to establish an independent disciplinary committee to 'root out' the lobbying agents of the candidates involved in the current contest.

"To ensure that the committee is truly independent, its members must not be from those holding top posts in the party. These lobbying agents must be investigated to find out whether they were appointed by candidates or whether they volunteered with the hope to get rewards," he said.

"If found guilty of being involved for selfish reasons, these anai-anai (termites a term referred to disloyal members) must be sacked from the party!"

In his fiery speech, Mazlan also claimed that there were agents who were up until 2am today "visiting delegates" to promote certain leaders "to help the president improve the party".

" Jangan kata nak tolong presidenlagi hancur parti kita! (don't claim to be helping the party, it will only destroy the party)" said Mazlan followed by shouts of Allahuakbar (Almighty Allah) by some of the 1,200 delegates attending the muktamar .

"If these people are allowed to continue with such an unhealthy practice, then we would have leaders who win their posts because of lobbying and not because of their good track record."

Demean struggle

He said such leaders are traitors not only to the party but also to the religion and Prophet Muhammad as such lobbying tactics demean the party's struggle in upholding the teachings of Islam and the welfare of the people.

"We in the youth wing will do our earnest to ensure that the people's welfare is protected like our activities in Terengganu to lend support to the owners of houses demolished by the Barisan Nasional.

"This is the way to help the party, not by meeting in coffee houses and cafes to lobby for people with so-called leadership qualities!"

Mazlan's speech came minutes after the delegates voted for their candidates to fill the party's deputy president post, three vice president slots and 18 central working committee posts.

The focus will be on the deputy presidency which saw a three-cornered fight between incumbent Senator Hasan Shukri, treasurer Abdul Halim Rahman and secretary general Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

The results are expected tomorrow morning.

Lousy examples

Similarly disgusted with the lobbying tactics was a delegate from PAS Kedah, Yusuf Husin who slammed certain factions in the party for their involvement.

"We have people going around lobbying. Not only that, we have campaign managers, we have operation rooms and even straw polls being conducted! Then we hear about campaign dealings and promotions via SMS (short messaging services) messages."

"Apa nak jadi? (what is happening?) The posts are about 'trust' but now it seems that people are lobbying for the posts for something else. To be a wakil rakyat ? To get logging projects? How can the grassroots consider these kind of leaders as people to emulate!"

He also lambasted the reports by the party organ Harakah and its internet version Harakahdaily on the nomination of candidates who are contesting in this muktamar .

"The names appeared in Harakah and Harakahdaily like reporting the stock market. I feel ashamed that this kind of practice is being carried out by party members. This should not be so. Because PAS party election is not about winning posts but about muhasabah (self reflection)"

He blamed the lack of the spirit of brotherhood among PAS leaders as the cause for such unhealthy lobbying.

"What happened to the ukhuwwah (spirit of brotherhood) among us? Surely we can talk to each other in a civil manner. I believe we can because I am proud to say that leaders for all top posts in 4 out of 15 divisions in Kedah were elected through consultation among ourselves."

He hoped that such a practice, rampant in the past, would be revived to ensure that electoral ethics will not be compromised.