63rd PAS muktamar to formulate strategy for GE14

In view of the 14th general election speculated to be held this year, political parties, including PAS, will definitely turn their annual general assemblies into the platform to formulate political strategies to face the democratic challenges.

Political analysts, be it pro-PAS or anti-PAS, will definitely follow every development at the 63rd PAS muktamar (general assembly), which will begin in Alor Setar tomorrow, to see how and what stand the Islamic party would take on matters relating to its survival and struggles in the political landscape.

Many quarters are waiting for the party's decision on whether to end its political collaboration with the opposition parties, especially with the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), as PAS is no longer a member of Pakatan Harapan, which comprises DAP, PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), which is PAS' very own splinter party.

Or, whether PAS will forge a pact with Bersatu, especially to win Kedah?

Another question that lingers is on PAS' proposal to form a third political bloc with Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), a multi-racial party led by former cabinet minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (photo).

Many have also speculated whether PAS' strategy of 'making up' with Umno, in matters relating to the rights of the Malays and Islam, would benefit the party in terms of gaining support should it contest on its own ticket at the GE14.

Commenting on PAS-PKR political collaboration, Universiti Utara Malaysia's Institute for Malaysian Political Analysis (Mapan) director Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff said the decision to end the political collaboration with PKR would not come as a surprise as the matter had been raised by the delegations at PAS divisional meetings.

"What's interesting is if the muktamar decides to end the political collaboration with PKR, what will happen to PAS in Selangor?" he asked.

'Ending ties with PKR will be a big loss'

In that context, Kamarul Zaman strongly believes that PAS will continue its political collaboration with PKR in Selangor as ending it would be a big loss to the party.

"It is also related to the people's mandate as several PAS assemblymen are still the state executive councillors. If PAS decides to end the collaboration with PKR in Selangor, the Selangor Palace and the people who voted for PAS in the last general election will probably not agree to it," he said.

The decision also seemed important for PAS in Kedah, as it has high hopes of regaining power in the Rice Bowl State in GE14.

Will Kedah PAS collaborate with Bersatu to win the state from Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN)?

Kamarul Zaman said it is hardly the case as PAS leaders had rejected the idea of collaborating with Bersatu after it forged a cooperation with DAP for GE14.

"It seems impossible to happen in Kedah, but they say everything is possible in politics and the muktamar will become the deciding factor," he said.

The muktamar will begin with the meetings of the Dewan Ulama, Dewan Pemuda and Dewan Muslimat before the meeting of PAS Central on Saturday, which appeared free from any leadership issues as both PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, won uncontested in the recent party elections.

Hadi, 69, has held the post of PAS president since 2002 in place of the late Fadzil Noor, while Tuan Ibrahim, 56, has held the number two post since 2015.

Hadi's leadership legacy is strengthened, with his son,  Muhammad Khalil (photo), also winning uncontested to helm the Dewan Pemuda PAS.

As such, all eyes will be on the contest for three vice-president posts, among incumbent Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, who is also Kelantan deputy menteri besar; Idris Ahmad who is Bukit Gantang MP; Iskandar Abdul Samad who is Selangor PAS commissioner; and Nasruddin Hassan, who is PAS information chief.

Kamarul Zaman said the party election this year has been seen as giving priority to the ulama leadership and maintaining status quo.

"The party has matured and its cleaning process has been completed, as many of its leaders who lost during the last party election have quit the party," he said, referring to the formation of Amanah.

A total of 40 leaders have been nominated to contest for 18 posts in the PAS central committee. Approximately 1,200 delegates will cast their votes at the party polls.

- Bernama