Universiti Utara Malaysia’s Kamarul Zaman Yusoff said ulamas have led the party with the backing of professionals since 1982 and any move to change presidents must go through the party’s Syura Council.
He also told FMT that leaders with professional backgrounds, such as vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, would never oppose Hadi because of their close relationship with him.
Kamarul said rumours of an internal conflict in PAS were made up by external parties, and that the claims had created a minor “storm” among party members at the bottom level.
“It has drawn attention because PAS will be having party elections this year,” he said.
There had been speculation recently about an internal conflict between two opposing factions known as the “Publika Gang” and “Ustaz Gang”.
“Publika Gang” refers to professionals in PAS who are said to be pro-PPBM, and “Ustaz Gang” refers to the ulamas who are said to be more inclined to continuing the party’s cooperation with Umno.
Among those tied to the “Publika Gang” are Samsuri and Takiyuddin, while the “Ustaz Gang” comprises strategic director Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali and central committee member Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.
Ahmad Atory Hussain, formerly of Universiti Sains Malaysia, said he could not see professionals taking over the leadership as the majority of PAS members still wanted the ulamas to lead the party.
He also believed that any attempt to topple Hadi would be difficult, especially since he had the ability to offer other party leaders positions in the government.
“Hadi is well-versed with the party’s internal politics. He knows how to control the situation,” he told FMT.
Meanwhile, Azmi Hassan, formerly of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said any differences in opinion between the two factions would not be publicly stated, adding that PAS was “synonymous” with the ulama leadership.
“If there is such a plot to topple the president, it will not be done openly because it will be hard for the grassroots to accept it,” he told FMT.