Kuala Lumpur: PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has dismissed claims that a pro-DAP faction exists within the party.
The Kubang Kerian MP said such claims were typically made by “outsiders” who are not party delegates responsible for electing its leadership.
He said these individuals iinclude university lecturers-turned-political analysts who are perceived to support PAS’s rivals.
“I can confirm there is no such faction. So there’s no need to label people as pro-DAP just because we dislike them.
“The real issue is branding people as pro-DAP when we dislike what they have to say. But within PAS, there is no group that supports DAP or its policies,” he told FMT in an interview at the party’s headquarters.
Tuan Ibrahim said if any PAS members or leaders were truly inclined towards DAP, they would be better off joining the party, given the fundamental differences in their political ideologies, which led the two parties to part ways.
On Saturday, Dewan Ulama committee member Mokhtar Senik said the party does not need input from DAP or “individuals friendly to it” when determining PAS’s leadership lineup for the upcoming elections.
He said PAS still requires the leadership of both Abdul Hadi Awang and Tuan Ibrahim, who have held the positions of president and deputy president respectively, since 2015.
However, Mokhtar did not elaborate on his statement or reveal the identity of the individuals he referred to as “friendly to DAP”.
To date, no DAP leaders have been reported to have publicly expressed any views or suggestions regarding PAS’s leadership elections, which are set to take place at its 70th muktamar in Kedah this September.
We want to run a country, not pondok schools
Tuan Ibrahim downplayed the prospect of an intense clash between the pro-ulama and professional factions in the coming election, saying it would not reach the level seen in 2015, when it led to an exodus of leaders from the party.
That year saw personalities like Mohamad Sabu, Khalid Samad and Dzulkefly Ahmad leaving the party to form Amanah, which later became part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition.
Tuan Ibrahim said he personally does not see the competition as a rivalry, emphasising that, as a political party, PAS needs support from diverse groups.
“We want to run a country, not pondok schools. And to do that, we need broad-based support and acceptance.
“That is why PAS needs experts in economics, law and other fields beyond religion.
“Such people will serve to strengthen the party and complement the ulama leadership,” he said.
