By Wan Hamidi HamidPolitical Editor
IPOH, Aug 17 — Despite the narrow and conservative ulama's view that the Pas highest decision making body, the Ulama Syura Council, cannot be challenged, Selangor delegate Khalid Samad felt otherwise.
The Selangor delegate and Pas MP insisted today that Pas should reject any form of cooperation with Umno but stick to its current allies DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat under the banner of Pakatan Rakyat.
His views, bringing a flicker of democracy to the staid hierarchical Islamist party, contrasted with that of Pas deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Harun Din who stressed yesterday that party members must abide by the council's decision – to have non-binding informal talks with Umno.
Khalid, who also attended one of the secret meetings with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after the March 8 general election with his party leaders, reminded the assembly that Pas should show its true Islamic way with Pakatan instead of trying to be with Umno.
"Do you remember the days when our leaders declared war against 'assabiyah' (parochialism), against Umno which focused its struggle only for the Malays instead of Islam?"
A Pas insider described that although the more traditional camp disliked the way the young turks were criticising the top leadership's stand, they still accepted the different views aired in the open.
His argument is strengthened when Khalid, the Shah Alam MP, criticised some delegates who had claimed that party members were sidelined by certain Pakatan state governments such as in Penang and Selangor.
"This is a wrong view. We have three exco members in Selangor and these are important portfolios, with 50 per cent of the state budget allocated to their councils. We've been given the freedom in Selangor to handle the religious council and department, mosques and suraus," he said.
Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali is the senior exco in charge of religion, Malay customs, infrastructures and public amenities while Dr Halimah Ali is in charge of education and human capital, and Iskandar Abdul Samad housing, building management and squatters.
Khalid also rejected claims that too much focus on politics would mean party members were neglecting missionary work, saying that the two elements should not be separated.
Saying that Islam is all inclusive, he believed that by being active in politics, especially with Pakatan allies, it would show the partners that practising Islam could impress everyone including the non-Muslims.
"This is what I call dakwah (propagation of Islam)," he added.
He also believed that Pas being loyal to Pakatan by being fair and dispensing justice for all, as long as it's guided by the principles of Islam, would reflect the true image of Islam.
To strengthen his argument on non-cooperation with Umno, Khalid gave the example of Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who were denied permission to give Friday sermon here two days ago.
"Did DAP prevented our leaders from giving the sermon? Did PKR do that? No, It was Umno. And Umno will continue to sabotage the good things Pakatan want to do for the people."
He also reminded the top leaders that if they were slow in accepting non-Muslims as associate members, those people would join other parties.
"When this happens, we will blame others. We must not be afraid. Making them associate members mean they have to accept Pas's policies. We want Pas and Pakatan to be strengthen," he added.
While the conservative faction may not agree with his view, the Pas insider claimed that majority of grassroots members preferred close cooperation with Pakatan parties.
"But to some ulama, they are not comfortable with DAP. It seems they too believe in Umno propaganda that DAP is a Chinese chauvinist party despite many recent examples that DAP can work will with Pas especially at the grassroots level.
"Some other ulama do not trust Anwar for many different reasons. One if them is Anwar is too liberal," he added.
Nik Aziz who also addressed the assembly today said he too believed in cooperation with Pakatan parties but did not object to leaders meeting Umno counterparts.
"But when we meet we must only ask one question, why Umno does want to accept and practise Islam totally? Also our meeting must ensure that we want to bring Umno members to join Pas," said the revered Pas ulama.
No comments:
Post a Comment