Malay Muslim Issues Ministerial Performances The Focus Of Pas Muktamar

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In addition to discussing its core agenda of Malay-Muslim issues, PAS will also need to address seat allocations for the next general election (GE15) during its muktamar (general assembly), political analysts say
According to Rusdi Omar of Universiti Utara Malaysia, the allocation of seats is a critical issue involving Bersatu, Umno and PAS, which have teamed together in the ruling Perikatan Nasional coalition
"The distribution of seats is the most critical because it involves Bersatu, Umno and PAS competing to contest in seats with substantial Malay majorities," he told Malaysiakini
Apart from that, Rusdi expects the issue of political cooperation with PN and Muafakat Nasional (MN) to be another main agenda in the muktamar, which will be held in Kelantan this weekend
"Whether they will side with Bersatu or Umno will probably be the main agenda," he said
At the same time, Rusdi said it was likely that there were delegates who would touch on the issue of the performance of the PAS ministers in the PN administration thus far
UMNO president Zahid Hamidi and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang signing the Piagam Muafakat Nasional at PWTC  on Sept 14, 2019.Personally, he said, he thinks that the voices of the ministers from PAS in the government seem to be suppressed
Prof Azmi Hassan from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia also agreed with Rusdi. He saw that the performance of PAS ministers and deputy ministers would be touched by the delegates later
'PAS defensive of ministers'“Currently, the people do not have confidence in the abilities of PAS MPs in the cabinet
"Ministers and deputy ministers from Umno are seen as performing better," Azmi said, citing the controversy sparked by the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali for failing to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days after returning from a trip to Turkey
“Khairuddin's issue needs to be discussed because this crisis has embroiled PAS as a political party
"Currently, PAS is seen protecting Khairuddin (photo, below), while the people evaluate him as having committed an offence," he said
Azmi added that national and international issues should also be debated by PAS
That is because, he said, even though PAS is in the government, the people are still sceptical of the party leaders' ability to face international issues in their respective ministries
"The issue of the distribution of GE15 seats will definitely be touched on because, if you observe, PAS is behind Bersatu and Umno in terms of influence, whether in the structure of PN or MN," he said
Therefore, Azmi thinks that PAS should expand its strategy and influence beyond just three states under its current administration, namely Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah
"PAS cannot remain as it is now if it wants to be a respected political party," he said
Meanwhile, PAS veteran leader Mahfodz Mohamed said he expects delegates to continue urging the Islamic party to champion Islamic issues in administration
"Perhaps the delegates will urge PAS to continue to champion the issue of Islamisation in the administration and enforcement of the laws, so that it is seen to be more firm and fair to all," he told Malaysiakini
Mahfodz (above), who is also a former head of the party's Central Ulama Council, said he was also confident that the delegates would urge PAS leaders to ensure victory in the GE15
"Not only in the MN and PN, but also the parties in Sarawak and Sabah together in the government, which reflects the plurality of the country and the ruling parties," he said when asked about the expected agenda to be raised in the 66th muktamar
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic this conference will be held online and broadcast live on social media to enable all party members to attend the annual gathering virtually
Earlier, PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah was reported to have said that, in order to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set, attendance was limited to 300 delegates, as well as the division chairpersons and four delegates from Kelantan were allowed to attend as the muktamar was to be held in the state
As the country is still undergoing a period of restraint movement control order until Dec 31, it is understood that this muktamar is also limited to only one day, compared to previous gatherings which were held over three days
This year's convention also coincides with the one year anniversary of the MN agreement signed between long time foes turned allies Umno and PAS on Sept 14, 2019. - Mkini

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