PETALING JAYA, March 3 — PAS is not expected to “walk free” in the Chempaka state by-election as the party is expected to face at least one independent candidate.

It was rumoured that the party’s splinter group Persatuan Ummah Sejahtera Malaysia (PasMa) has planned to field its Kelantan state chief Che Ibrahim Mohamed as a candidate to “test the ground” rather than to win because it is a fact the seat will stay with PAS.

It is believed that PasMa wanted to know the extent of PAS’ influence as they are fighting for the same objective — Islamic state and hudud laws — but both based on a different approach.

PasMa is expected to register to be a political organisation to replace PAS if it leaves or is forced to leave Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The relationship between PAS and DAP has never been smooth as both parties carry different ideologies and philosophies — PAS is for Islamic state and hudud laws while DAP, a multiracial but Chinese-based party, is purportedly for liberalism and democracy.

Currently, the relationship between the two parties is at its lowest ebb where one is expected to fall out of the pact any time soon or latest by March 18.

That is the date when PAS-led Kelantan will move a motion in the state assembly for a private member’s Bill to be tabled in Parliament to enable the state to implement hudud laws in Kelantan.

DAP had issued a warning that if this happens, the party would bid for PAS to leave PR on grounds it was against the pact’s leadership council consensus.

Fearing the worse, PasMa leaders met DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng last week, and PAS members have viewed this as the beginning of a political cooperation between the two as a replacement for PAS if the party leaves or if DAP opts out of the pact.

PasMa was set up in Kota Baru last year to ensure PAS remains in PR as the party ulama leadership is seen as distancing as well as opposing many of the pact’s decisions.

Registered as a non-government organisation, it is led by Kedah PAS deputy commissioner Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi as president, alongside his deputy, former Pasir Puteh MP Muhamad Husin.

Its members comprise PAS members who are said to be supporting PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The splinter group has been perceived as a platform for PAS liberals, who support Anwar, and who are attempting to push PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang out of the presidency and to be replaced by a PAS liberal trusted by Anwar.

The PAS Ulama Council had declared “war” against PasMa, and the party leadership had also warned party members against cooperating and becoming members.

Under such circumstances, it will be interesting to see how the campaign trail will be like if PasMa fields a candidate under an independent ticket next week.

The nomination for the Chempaka seat is fixed for next Tuesday. The seat was held by PAS’ spiritual chief, the late Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, for 23 years.