Shahbudin: What is PAS’ record in business, economy?

The only group in PAS that has some experience in such matters, the professionals and progressives, left the party and are now in Amanah, says the political analyst.

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS under the leadership of Abdul Hadi Awang is no longer about Islam, charged a political analyst in his latest blog posting.

On the one hand, PAS is like a car being driven by Abdul Hadi Awang with no sense of direction, and the end will only come when it runs out of fuel. Already, the signs were there when the professionals and progressives defected from the ulama-controlled party to form Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah or PAN) as the political wing of their breakaway NGO, Gerakan Harapan Baru (GHB).

On the other hand, it’s indulging in wishful thinking and living on hope that Umno would somehow change the nature of its struggle, if any, although fully aware that it’s like expecting the burung pungguk – a kind of owl or burung hantu — touching the moon which is so far out in space. “The original meaning in the syair – a kind of poem in rhyme about feelings – is about trying to get something that was impossible,” said the analyst in his posting.

It appears also that PAS no longer wants to be in power, said Shahbudin Husin the analyst. “They just want to be Advisors to the Barisan Nasional (BN).”

Shahbudin, referring to remarks in the media, noted that PAS wants to advise Najib and Umno on 1MDB, housing, and the fall of the ringgit, among others. “We want to help resolve problems, not grab power. What is important is that we change the government to one based on the dictates of Islam,” Shahbudin quoted Hadi as saying in the media.

Hadi, noted the analyst, further said on his proposed meeting with Najib in the near future that his offer to engage with Umno was based on the condition that, “Umno changes the government to one which was in line with Islam.”

“Let’s laugh first at Hadi’s expressed intentions to place PAS in the position of advising Umno on the issues that he mentioned,” said Shahbudin. “What experience and expertise does PAS have on the issues that Hadi mentioned? What’s their track record before this in business and economy especially in the difficult issues that continue to bog down the nation?”

“Hasn’t the only group in PAS that has some experience in such matters, the professionals and progressives, left the party and are now in Amanah? Does Hadi, his deputy Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, and the Vice-Presidents, Nasharuddin Tantawi, Nik Abduh and others in the party really think that they are in a position to advise Najib and Umno on anything especially on 1MDB and the fall of the ringgit?”

At this stage, the analyst has difficulties recalling whether Hadi and other PAS leaders have ever demonstrated their advisory capabilities in Parliament and other forums on the issues mentioned by the PAS President as being on the Agenda for a meeting soon with Najib and Umno. “We can’t point at even one media statement giving their views on the issues.”

If PAS members however prefer to engage in politics and struggle on, he added, it’s better that they seriously consider henceforth the prospects of joining other political parties. “Alternatively, just sit at the surau or the mosque, and forget about gaining pahala (merit) and syurga (paradise) through PAS.”

The reality, pointed out Shahbudin, is that Umno was much bigger and stronger than PAS and it would be sheer madness on the part of the former to be dictated to by the latter.

Again, the analyst is tickled pink by Hadi telling the media that a meeting between Najib — who has RM2.6 billion in his personal kitty — and him, possibly between Umno and PAS, would be held shortly.

PAS members and supporters in the kampung can gradually leave the party after this, reiterated Shahbudin. “PAS, it can be stressed again, no longer wishes to take power unlike previously when it was all about power being within their grasp, and Islam being strengthened etc etc.”

“These PAS members and supporters have long supported the party through the little donations that they gathered for the party to push the cause of Islam.”