Hudud, relationship with Umno, party’s direction to dominate 62nd PAS Muktamar

PETALING JAYA: Following PAS's tabling of the controversial hudud bill in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday, all eyes will now be on the party's 62nd muktamar (annual general meeting) in Kota Baru, set for June 1 to 3.
The hudud issue has been long-standing, with the issue being raised in the previous muktamar last year, which led to the disintegration of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat after PAS severed ties with DAP.
Now, the matter is seeing its rounds yet again after the Private Member's Bill to enhance syariah punishments was tabled by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in Parliament.
The issue, which has seen a split opinion even in Barisan Nasional, with several top guns even threatening to give up their ministerial positions should the bill be passed, will surely see it be given ample time for debate.
"The challenge now is for Abdul Hadi to convince party members to support the bill," political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir told theSun when contacted today.
The fact that Umno, and several of its top leaders, have voiced support and defended the tabling of the hudud bill will also be a matter of discussion at the muktamar, with the main question being the direction that PAS is taking after its split from Pakatan.
Despite already forming a political cooperation with Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) in March, much talk will be on PAS desire, or lack thereof, of forming a unity government with Umno.
"This will be a matter of grave concern, especially to those from the grassroots level. Abdul Hadi seems to be leaning towards Umno. The grassroots will definitely want to know the stand of their leadership," Jeniri said.
Other issues set to be raised in the muktamar include the two upcoming by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar, the party's dismal performance in the recently concluded Sarawak elections, and support from voters following its split from Pakatan.
PAS position in Selangor is also set to be hotly debated after the state Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali was reported to have recently issued an ultimatum to the Islamist party over the Sungai Besar by-election.
Several reports have emerged that Azmin has threatened that the three PAS exco members must resign if the party decided to contest in the by-election, a report which Azmin has refuted.