KUALA NERUS, Sept 16 — PAS delegates today passed a motion to empower its central leadership and the consultative Syura Council to determine the party’s direction and role in the Opposition.
The motion had been proposed by its Kota Raja and Lenggong divisions in its 64th muktamar, or annual congress, in Kuala Terengganu this weekend.
The motion would also give mandate to the Syura Council made up of ulama, or religious scholars, to finalise any decision made over the issue.
It was tabled by Kota Raja delegate Mohamad Diah Baharom, supported by Youth wing delegate Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamuden and Kelantan delegate Nik Bahrom Nik Abdullah.
Afnan and Sandakan delegate Mustaman Mustain had debated the motion, and it was unanimously accepted by the house.
“Don’t let our friends use peace as the opportunity for themselves. Let not among us worry whether we can collaborate with Umno or not,” said Youth wing secretary Afnan during the debate.
Mustaman also claimed that PAS is left alone in Sabah, and was not invited to join the Gabungan Bersatu Sabah coalition, due to its Islamist nature.
“It is a decision that must be achieved, taking into account the Sabah political landscape to evangelise … With a coalition with Umno and others, it would open political doors wide for us to spread Islam,” he said.
This comes even as PAS had decided to pass without debate a motion to strengthen Gagasan Sejahtera, its political coalition with among others Berjasa, Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia, and Parti Cinta Malaysia.
The latter motion tabled by the Youth wing also proposed for the PAS-led Kelantan and Terengganu to politically appoint members of Gagasan Sejahtera component parties into the state governments.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed yesterday that the defeated Malay nationalist party is planning to eventually form a new opposition coalition with former rivals PAS for the next general election.
Additionally, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said he envisioned changes in the new coalition, which could be joined by Umno along with other parties albeit no longer under the Barisan Nasional name.
