Even Umno happy with PAS election results, says Mat Sabu

Former PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu says the clash between the conservatives and progressives is a new phenomenon in the Islamist party. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, June 10, 2015.

Ousted PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu has described the recently concluded 61st muktamar (general assembly) as a "strange and stranger" (pelik bin pelik) event, in terms of the selection of leaders and coverage by pro-Umno media.

Mohamad, who is popularly known as Mat Sabu, said the "weirdness" of the entire set-up had provided the party's pro-ulama group or conservatives an edge, allowing them to make a clean sweep of the Islamist party's leadership line-up.

Even Umno, he said, was delighted with the results of the latest party elections.

"Strange things happened even way before the muktamar. Almost the entire Umno and Barisan Nasional propaganda machinery were deployed to take part in the party elections.

"Watching TV3 and reading Utusan Malaysia and Sinar Harian, one can surmise that they are all in favour of the pro-ulama faction. 

"Another clear example was that one week before the muktamar, national news agency Bernama also played its 'role' and was supportive of the group," Mat Sabu told The Malaysian Insider.

Mat Sabu was among several of the party members, dubbed "progressives", who were ousted in last week's party elections. He lost to Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man who polled 881 ballots compared with his 279 votes.

"Even the top PAS leadership was seen holding a white paper (list of candidates it was endorsing). 

"And for the first time, too, Umno appears very happy with the results. As a long-time party member, all these are very weird and strange. As if something is about to happen."

Mat Sabu reflected that things were different in PAS, saying when he joined PAS in 1981, there was no such thing as the so-called "clash between the conservatives and progressives".

He said in those days, winning or losing was not important and both winners and losers, could still share the stage.

"After several terms as the Youth exco, I was chosen as the Youth vice chief under Datuk Abu Bakar Chik. Ustaz Wan Ismail Wan Jusoh (now Ketereh chief) was my challenger.

"Then, my relationship with Wan Ismail was so good that we always gave talks (ceramah) on the same stage be it in or outside Kelantan. 

"By 1990, I challenged Ustaz Abu Bakar Chik. I lost but I continued to be with him in all sorts of ceramah, demonstrations and party programmes.”

Mat Sabu said even though he was linked to a khalwat case in 1995, he was still picked for the party's central committee after the matter was settled.

After that, he said he held on to the vice-president's post for two terms before braving himself to take on the deputy president post in 2003.

 "Ustaz Nasharuddin Mat Isa was chosen as the deputy president. Although I don't like his leadership style, I accepted that he was selected legally and cleanly in the muktamar.

"Again, in 2011, I offered to take on the deputy presidency and won. I was able to hold on to the post in 2013.

"Be it Ustaz Wan Ismail, Ustaz Abu Bakar Chik, Ustaz Nik Amar or whoever, the relationship between us remains intact, especially those involving the party's decision and programmes."

The PAS muktamar, which ended last week, saw PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang retaining his post against former vice-president Ahmad Awang. 

This was also the first time Hadi was challenged since assuming leadership 12 years ago.

The muktamar also saw major defeats of several prominent PAS leaders who were seen to be friendly with the PAS's Pakatan Rakyat partners, DAP and PKR.

- TMI