PAS cleric claims division leaders sidelining him from religious discussions

A PAS cleric has claimed that certain individuals have barred him from participating in the party's usrah (religious education) programmes.

According to Mokhtar Senik (above), there are leaders at the division level who have instructed party members to no longer invite him to programmes they organise.

Mokhtar - who is also a PAS ulama wing committee member - claimed that such instructions were made after he led an usrah group discussion and was asked about the party's stance in the Muafakat Nasional coalition, especially after the Malacca state elections.

"I replied, our relationship with Umno remains as maintained by PAS, that is, to strengthen Muafakat and defend Perikatan Nasional (PN).

"Suddenly, state constituency coordinators were being told by division leaders not to call me to be part of the programmes again as it was claimed that I am leaning towards rejecting Muafakat," he said yesterday on social media.

The former Pahang PAS ulama wing chief’s statement reinforces the perception that there is a clash of ideas within the party involving two factions - one leaning towards PN and the other preferring Muafakat.

The clash is not one that's occurring openly. However, the party’s election results at the end of last year do offer a glimpse of what is currently happening within the party.

Clash worsens relationship

Several statements by party leaders - including Mokhtar - and viral audio recordings also show that some want PAS to remain with Umno through Muafakat, while others prefer them to be with Bersatu in PN.

Last year’s Malacca elections - which saw PAS contest under PN and clash with Umno-BN in seven seats - further worsened relations between the two parties. 

Mokhtar said the recent usrah participants would remember what he had emphasised in the group discussions.

“Recently, the Syura council reaffirmed (the party’s) bond with Muafakat and PN, as I mentioned earlier.

"Do the (party) divisions not want to quarrel with the Syura council too? Are you a member of PAS or are you still (with) Ikram?" he said without elaborating on what he meant.

Ikram is an Islamic NGO that was formerly closely linked to PAS but is now deemed to be akin to off-shoot party Amanah. - Mkini