PAS sec-gen uses 'ship and football' analogy to warn members on loyalty

 

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has adopted a ship and football analogy in warning party members to remain loyal to their leaders.

Takiyuddin said while each individual member has a role to play, the act of interfering in the leadership could negatively affect the party.

He cited a narration of Prophet Muhammad’s teaching that likened a person who upheld Allah’s commands and “those who fell into His forbidden list” (committing sins), to people voting for a place on a ship - some placed on the top deck while others will be below.

Takiyuddin said people on the lower deck had to ask those on top for water and so they were inspired to bore a hole in the boat - an action if not prevented by those on top, would cause the boat to sink.

He said this in his speech to PAS members at the party’s 67th annual muktamar in Kuala Terengganu today.

Further, Takiyuddin said the “PAS ship” has a captain and his team to steer the ship, while the boat-hands and passengers must be clear on their roles and to follow instructions, in this case, decisions made by the party, with full dedication and trust in their leaders.

“Crew members who feel their opinions are as vast as the ocean while stuck in the ship’s belly between wooden walls and a tiny window will never be the same as a captain steering the ship with a compass and telescope from up top,” he said.

The energy and natural resources minister said while views from all parties are welcomed, the final decision must be respected, obeyed and carried out fully.

“Problems arise when we are overly concerned and interfere with the role of others when our own duties have not been carried out well and with dedication,” he added.

Follow the manager's plan

Moving on to a football analogy, Takiyuddin likened his personal role as PAS secretary-general to a “kit manager” in a football team, working with a manager, chief coach and the players.

“There is a position called the kit manager, in charge of uniforms and the equipment including boots, jerseys, numbers and others.

“There is the role of a secretary-general and his subordinates in a great team like our beloved party,” said the Kota Bharu MP who held the position since 2015.

Like a football team, Takiyuddin said those in the political arena also require a similar set-up with strategies and tactics determined by the “manager and coach” while players are assigned to their positions as “defenders, midfielders or strikers”.

“In football history, there were many teams with superstar players that failed when the players acted as if they were the managers and coaches.

“However, there were other underdog teams with no star players, but they succeeded to defeat ‘giants’ when their team members showed discipline, understood their individual roles and showed full respect for strategies set out by their manager,” he added. - Mkini