YOUNG PROGRESSIVES RETAIN INFLUENCE IN PAS PARTY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 001049 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL KDEM MY SUBJECT: YOUNG PROGRESSIVES RETAIN INFLUENCE IN PAS PARTY ELECTIONS REF: KUALA LUMPUR 905 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission David B. Shear for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Malaysia's Islamist opposition party, the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS),held its annual general meeting and biennial party elections June 1-3 in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, the only state controlled by PAS. As expected, party president Abdul Hadi Awang ran unopposed and retained his post. A group of well-educated, young professionals, often called the "Young Turks", headed by the 45 year old, incumbent deputy party president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, managed to ward off a major challenge from conservative religious scholars, or "ulamas", seeking to reassert greater influence within the party. Nasharuddin retained his seat comfortably against the former chief of the party's Ulama Council and well-known firebrand Harun Taib, but the ulamas made up ground in the party's three wings. The battle for the deputy president position highlighted a wider struggle for control over the direction of the party, but in the end the more progressive young professionals maintained much of their influential presence on the party's central working committee. PAS will focus on retaining Kelantan in the upcoming general election. End Summary. Focus on elections -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Malaysia's Islamist opposition party, the Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia - PAS),held its 53rd annual general meeting and biennial party elections June 1-3 in Kota Bharu, the capital of the PAS-controlled state of Kelantan. In a break from years past, the key note address by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang concentrated almost entirely on domestic politics and the party's preparation for the upcoming general elections. Hadi generally ignored foreign politics, making only brief mention of the Middle East, and largely avoided the traditional heavy criticism of the United States. This year's themes were merely two fold-- party elections and the anticipated general election. In what was perhaps the anti-climax of the weekend, Hadi ran unopposed and retained his post as party president. All other posts were more hotly contested and represented a genuine struggle for control of the party. Ulamas seek a comeback -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Prior to the party elections, there were very strong undercurrents that the conservative ulamas were dissatisfied with the progressive professional group that gained prominence in 2005. The ulamas, mainly representing the party's old guard, felt that the progressive youths were steering the party away from "its true path" of creating an Islamic state in Malaysia. One journalist told poloffs that the conservatives felt the professionals, headed by party deputy president Nasharuddin, were rash in making too many changes and compromises. Furthermore, the ulamas argue that it was only under the ulama leadership since 1983 that PAS had managed to win Kelantan in the 1990 general election and later Terengganu in the 1999 election (although the party failed to retain Terengganu in the 2004 polls). As one Kelantan-based journalist told poloffs, the ulamas felt that "leadership of the ulama" should be the central thrust of the party, and they felt that the young professionals "were trying to isolate the ulamas." ¶4. (SBU) Since their sweep to power in 2005, the "Young Turks" have struggled with the ulamas over divergent views on the future of the party. The ulamas opposed the professional group's decision to purchase the party headquarters located in the heart of a red light district in the city (ref A) and against the party's efforts to digitize its outreach through the party's new television station, PAStv, as well as its new web portal. The ulamas claimed that these endeavors and the purchase of the new headquarters building were a waste of the party's money and resources. They also stated that the location of the new building was totally unacceptable and did not "reflect the Islamic nature of the party." In fact Harun Taib, the former ulama chief was notably absent at the launch of the new party headquarters by the party's spiritual leader Nik Aziz in May. The ulamas are also opposed to cooperating with other political parties in the loose opposition coalition to take on the ruling National Front. ¶5. (SBU) However, the young professional group in the party is focused on being more open and inclusive, and as one journalist in Kota Bharu told poloffs, "basically wants to KUALA LUMP 00001049 002 OF 003 position PAS in national politics." Dr.Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, a professor of Malaysian politics, commented in a press interview that both groups have the party's interest at heart, but they are split in their approach. He added that the Young Turks in the party are not neglecting the party's objective of establishing an Islamic state but are "just being pragmatic." In other words, Shamsul opined, "for the Young Turks, the immediate task is to win power because, once they are in power, then they can implement the party's main tasks." Young Turks retain their influence but lose ground -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Nasharuddin's convincing win in which he obtained 574 votes to Harun Taib's 367 votes indicated, according to a sympathetic central committee member, that the party delegates were "comfortable and confident" with the professionals in the party. Many observers expected Harun Taib to receive more votes as the conservative group had earlier wrested the youth and women's wing movements and the leadership of several key divisions of the party from the professional group. They felt that there might be a swing against the professionals in the party. Even for the three vice presidents posts, the ulamas only gained one position through the election of PAS Information Chief Ahmad Awang. Whereas, incumbents-- Kelantan de facto Deputy Chief Minister Husam Musa and Mohamed Sabu-- retained their positions with a higher majority. The other candidates for the Vice Presidents post aligned with Harun Taib, Johor Commissioner Dr. Mahfodz Mohamed and former PAS Youth Chief Mafuz Omar, failed to make the cut. ¶7. (SBU) Notwithstanding Nasharuddin's win, all three wings of the party saw changes in their top leadership. In the Ulama Council, former ulama chief Harun Taib who had stepped down to contest the deputy president post was replaced by his deputy Mohamed Daud. Daud, much like Nik Aziz and Hadi Awang, is more sympathetic to the Young Turks, and actually represents a softer hand at the head of the Ulama Council. In the PAS Youth wing, Youth chief Salahuddin Ayob and deputy Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi were re-elected unopposed, but the Youth executive council saw the election of eight out of twelve members closely aligned with the more conservative ulamas, including Nik Aziz's son, Nik Abduh, who was the top vote getter. The women's wing also saw a change of leadership more closely aligned with the ulamas, as Nuridah Salleh was elected as president and Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan elected as deputy. ¶8. (SBU) Embassy poloffs attended the opening ceremony of the annual assembly along with representatives from the embassies of Japan, Indonesia and Germany and the Canadian, Singaporean, Australian and New Zealand High Commissions. Foreign guests were also present from Indonesia's People's Justice Party (PKS),Mr. Lufti Hassan Ishaaq; Egyptian Ikhwan Member of Parliament Dr. Hazim Farouk; and two members of the Palestinian Hamas organization, Sheikh Dr. Abu Yani and Sheikh Abu Husam. PAS focuses on retaining control of Kelantan -------------- ¶9. (SBU) For the party's 18 seat central working committee, the delegates played it safe by voting in a mixture of professionals (8) and religious scholars (10),although the top four positions were all won by ulamas. Interestingly, out of the 18 positions, four were won by Kelantanese leaders. One journalist told poloff that the unprecedented election of the four Kelantanese leaders to the central committee clearly indicated, "that the Islamic opposition party desperately wants to retain its jewel in the crown." The party currently holds a one-seat majority in the Kelantan state legislative assembly. New ulama chief seeks to reunite the party -------------- ¶10. (SBU) PAS Research Director and central working committee member Dr. Dzulkifli Ahmad told poloff that Nasharuddin's victory could be attributed to the indirect support from both the party president Hadi Awang and PAS Spiritual leader Nik Aziz. He pointed out that both leaders stressed the need for a balance in the party between the ulamas and the young professionals. He further commented, "The results were a clear mandate from party delegates that they endorse the policies and changes brought by the young progressive leaders." However, Dzulkifli remains concerned that one third of the party delegates who voted for Harun Taib did not endorse the policies of the professional group KUALA LUMP 00001049 003 OF 003 in the party. Being one of the key party strategists, he added that the younger leaders may have to "work harder to convince the one third that the professionals have the struggle of the party at heart." ¶11. (SBU) Dr. Dzulkifli, himself one of the "Young Turks", also retained his own seat on the party's central committee and added that the speech by the newly elected Ulama Chief Mohamed Daud at the PAS assembly was very encouraging for the professional group. Daud stated that both the ulamas and the professionals have a role to play in the party. Daud pointed out, "The ulamas may be well versed in religious issues but will not be able to build a bridge. Whereas, the professionals in the party have the capacity and the know how to do so." He added that both groups should maintain this long-standing close relationship for the betterment of the party. Commenting on the statement Dzulkifli added that the new ulama chief seemed to be more pragmatic and accepted the mandate given by the party delegates to the professional group. Comments -------------- ¶12. (C) The retention of many of the Young Turks represents a generally moderating effect on Malaysia's Islamic opposition party. Their election will make it easier for PAS to continue engaging other opposition parties both in public and in private, and certainly makes it easier for non-Malays to cooperate with PAS within the framework of an Alternative Front to contest Malaysia's ruling coalition at the polls. Nevertheless, the reelection of the young professionals does not mean that the ulamas have lost control of the party. The PAS constitution clearly stipulates that the "Majlis Shura" (Shura Council, comprised primarily of senior ulamas) is the highest decision making body of the party. The Young Turks, however, currently enjoy the support of the party's two senior ulamas, Nik Aziz and Hadi Awang, and thus will continue to enjoy their space and influence in the party. The newly elected Ulama Council chief, Mohamed Daud, also a member of the Shura Council, has clearly indicated it is in the best interest of the party to cooperate with the Young Turks, and has has taken a position in line with Nik Aziz and Hadi Awang. As long as they have the senior ulamas on their side, the Young Turks will continue to make their moderating mark on the party. ¶13. (C) PAS President Hadi Awang's focus on the upcoming general election coupled with the election of four Kelantanese members to the central committee indicates an ever increased focus on retaining control of Kelantan. With PAS holding a mere one seat majority in the Kelantan state assembly, UMNO leaders have declared their goal of retaking Kelantan in the next election. UMNO has reversed its long held policy of denying development funds to Kelantan and has sought to win hearts and minds with promises of a richer life under UMNO control. We expect PAS to spend the bulk of its campaign efforts trying to hold on to Kelantan and will rely on its loose alliances with the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Anwar's People's Justice Party (PKR) to further the opposition's efforts in other states. LAFLEUR