PAS Appoints Anwar Associates to Key Posts

PAS appoints Anwar associates to key posts
Arfa’eza A Aziz, Jun 9, 05 Malaysiakini

The fate of PAS seems inextricably linked to Anwar Ibrahim, who remains an influential factor in local politics. Realising this, the party today appointed two of his close associates to key positions.

Observers view this as an attempt by the opposition party to forge a closer working relationship with the ex-deputy premier.

At a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang announced that Kamaruddin Jaafar and Ahmad Awang were appointed secretary-general and information chief respectively.

Kamaruddin (photo) took over from Nasharuddin Mat Isa who won the deputy president post in the party’s recent annual convention while Ahmad replaced Dr Haron Din who is also PAS deputy spiritual adviser.

The appointments do not come as a surprise to observers since Anwar had indirectly indicated his interest in working with the party via his close associates.

“Anwar shared a close relationship with former PAS president, the late Fadzil Noor. But after his demise that link was affected and I believe Kamaruddin and Ahmad will patch it up,” said a political aide to a senior PAS politician.

Fadzil, Kamaruddin and Ahmad were once in the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement or Abim, which was founded by the former deputy premier in his younger days.

Poignant role

At the press conference, Abdul Hadi reiterated the party’s high regard for Anwar and added that he had a poignant role to play with the opposition in altering the political landscape here.

However, he was quick to stress that this did not mean that PAS was unconfident of its own line-up.

"It is not that (we have no confidence in ourselves). In our efforts to create reformation in the country's political scenario, we cannot look from the angle of a single party. We have to look from a broader angle and we must offer the people a leadership that is acceptable to all."

"That is why we have high regards for Anwar who is a leader with calibre and has a big role in changing the country's political landscape. PAS will put him at the appropriate position approved by the people,” he said.

Anwar is currently the adviser of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), helmed by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. PKR and PAS make-up the opposition coalition Barisan Alternatif.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi also announced the appointments of Dr Hatta Ramli as the new treasurer and Mahfuz Omar as deputy information chief.

True to his promise to rope in senior leaders who failed in the party elections, he also announced that Senator Hassan Shukri and Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman - who lost the contest for deputy president - as central working committee (CWC) members.

As the party constitution allows the elected representatives to appoint nine CWC members, the other seven are Mahfuz, Anuar Tan Abdullah Asmuni Awi, Hishamudin Yahaya, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad dan Mohamad Hanipa Maidin.

Ulama and professionals

Commenting on the new line-up, Abdul Hadi said although many of them were young, they were good leaders in their own right.

“They are the second echelon of leaders who will one day lead the party. Together with the senior and more experienced leaders, I am confident the party would be able to confront political challenges in the country and create changes,” he added.

He said the new team is bent on improving Malaysia’s impaired democratic system by prodding the current Barisan Nasional government to allow the people to exercise their democratic rights.

Asked what internal changes the new line-up would initiate, Abdul Hadi said it was too early to reveal their plans.

“I just completed the new line-up. I have to discuss with them first before making any announcements. We can only do that after having a few meetings,” he added.

The president once again defended the role of the ulama (religious scholars), stating that they have not been ousted in favour of leaders with professional background.

“The current supreme council consists of 11 leaders with religious background and seven professionals. But these professionals, including economists and lawyers, are also well-versed with the teachings of Islam.

“Also the supreme council administers the party but we have the Dewan Ulama and Majlis Syura Ulamak (Religious Scholars consultative council) that not only have the role to criticise the party’s administration but to also implement our constitution which is based on the Quran, Hadith...”

“Our majlis syura is not like Umno’s religious bureau where the ulama are there to nod to the decision of their leaders even if the decisions are not in line with Islamic teachings. So we still uphold the Kepimpinan Melalui Ulama (Leadership by Ulama) policy,” he said.