PAS Muktamar, a battle between ulamas and moderates for power

KUALA LUMPUR: The 61st PAS Muktamar or general assembly from June 4 to 6 will see a clash between the conservative ulamas and the moderates for power and control of the Islamic-based party.
The battle will also eventually decide whether the party remains in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) or leaves to chart an independent course.
PAS is at a crossroads and delegates will have to make a painful choice between the two feuding factions.
Their main differences are over Hudud, the ancient Islamic criminal law system and on cooperation with PR, especially with the secular DAP.
The DAP has been lashing out at president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, as a traitor and untrustworthy person, but maintains a cordial relationship with the party (PAS).

The ulama is led by Abdul Hadi and they believe that society is ready for Hudud but the only problem lies in the lack of political will to implement it.
The moderates, led by deputy president Mohamad Sabu, believe that a multi-ethnic society like Malaysia, is not ready for Hudud.
They say Hudud must take a back seat over political cooperation in Pakatan Rakyat.
"Only with political cooperation with other political parties can PAS get a shot at power in Putrajaya," said a moderate former vice-president.
"PAS must stay in the PR coalition".
Abdul Hadi, a graduate from Al-Azhar university in Egypt, took power in 2002 following the death of then president Datuk Fadzil Noor.
He was never challenged for the presidency – till now.
For the first time ever, former PAS vice-president Ahmad Awang is challenging Abdul Hadi, making this Muktamar a unique one.
Delegates have to pick between the two – a veteran they know and and a newcomer who has been eclipsed by the central leadership.
The reading on the ground is that Abdul Hadi is ahead with overwhelming delegates support.
Ahmad Awang, although an ulama, is a progressive leader and has vowed to keep PAS in PR, if he wins the presidency.
Allied with Awang is Sabu, who is the leader of the moderates in PAS, although he is not contesting for the president's post.
He has been very critical of Abdul Hadi in the weeks leading to the Muktamar. He is a champion of PAS remaining in PR and delaying Hudud.
Abdul Hadi is giving the 1,300 delegates a choice in the election – between picking ulamas who will fight for Islam and picking moderates who are backed by DAP.
For the first time too, an outside force like the DAP, is the key issue in a PAS Muktamar.
Abdul Hadi has labeled his moderate opponents in PAS as "lackeys of DAP" with the unstated sting that the DAP strongly opposes Hudud.
"The DAP strategy of attacking Abdul Hadi but supporting the party has backfired," said academic and political analyst Sivamurugan Pandyan.
"The moderates want to create a distance with the DAP."
"They fear losing in the elections is they are seen as too close to the DAP," he told theSun.
The ulama faction has put candidates for all posts in the party – from president down to the Central Committee and heads of the Youth and Wanita wings – in a direct clash between conservatives and progressives.
Sabu is facing Abdul Hadi's ally Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. While Tuan Ibrahim is an ulama and has the support of ulama's, Sabu is immensely popular on the ground.
Some say the real election in PAS is the fight between the two for the deputy posts.
"We expect Mohamad Sabu to give a tough fight," a party insider said adding however "menu voting" will likely decide the outcome.
Ulamas are out to teach the moderates or "parasites" a lesson and they are willing to vote en-block. They blame the moderates of bringing into PAS a new culture of politicking that is un-Islamic.
The 61st Muktamar will see a showdown between two feuding factions with the Ulamas ready to rid the party of what they see as a new disease.
Will they succeed?