As PAS heads for divorce, members clash over ‘family’s assets’

The strategically located PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, is one of many party properties, many of which are held in trust under party leaders who are expected to quit over differences with the conservative leadership. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, August 5, 2015.

As PAS heads for a divorce, with some members staying and some leaving for the New Hope Movement (GHB), there are now questions as to how the “family assets” will be divided.

The party’s physical assets, such as offices and furniture, are supposedly co-owned by leaders who are heading for GHB and those who want to stay in PAS.

Things have also been complicated by the fact that some PAS leaders are now adamant in stopping pro-GHB members from using the party’s facilities for their activities, said a PAS leader with knowledge of these assets.

Sanctions are being imposed even though the party’s assets are contributed and co-owned by PAS loyalists and GHB-inclined members, said former party treasurer Asmuni Awi.

“They (PAS loyalists) should be flexible in this and not act as if all this property is theirs. This issue should be negotiated,” Asmuni told The Malaysian Insider.

If the issue is not handled well, it could come to the point where those heading for GHB will forcefully take all their donated assets with them, said Asmuni.

“There could be a situation where PAS offices are left with only the bare walls and pillars. The lights, fans and air-conditioning could all be stripped and taken away,” said Asmuni.

Asmuni (pic, left), a lawyer, is among the party’s biggest contributors, with many of the party’s properties held in his trust.

He is named in the company that owns the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut.

Among the pro-GHB leaders who had a hand in the construction of the building are Datuk Husam Musa and Dr Hatta Ramli.

The building, which used to house a bank, was bought for RM8 million while another RM4 million was used for renovations.

Pro-GHB members are also significantly involved in developing almost all of the party’s state, division and branch offices.

PAS has warned members against joining GHB, made up of leaders ousted in the party’s June elections.

GHB is expected to form a new Islamist party in September and has been trying to attract members disenchanted with the new leadership to join them.

PAS leaders opposed to GHB, such as Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan, have called pro-GHB members who use PAS assets “dishonourable”.

- TMI