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'We are not here to displace them. We are happy to play second fiddle. We cannot deny that the base is the conservative northern and eastern Malay belt, but we are here to add value,' a leading moderate told The Malaysian Insider. The Electric New Paper
A TUG-OF-WAR happening within PAS is threatening to strain relations between those in its party and with other affiliated parties in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance.  | | PAS SPIRITUAL LEADER: Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat --ST FILE PICTURE | Within PAS, or Parti Islam SeMalaysia, clashes are now evident between the conservative ulama faction which controls the leadership of PAS, and the more moderate group, reported liberal news portal The Malaysian Insider. A recent upheaval in PAS Selangor, when moderates like state assemblyman Saari Sungip of Hulu Kelang and Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad were removed from the state committee, has led to talk of an ongoing purge of the moderate faction members by the more conservative ulama group. The more moderate group is backed by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, and appears to be supported by a majority of party members. The conservative ulama faction, on the other hand, represents the views of its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and a majority of the leadership, who want to distance themselves from Mr Anwar's ambitions. What happened in Selangor suggests it is but the first of many skirmishes heading up to next July's party general assembly, where party elections will be held, said Malaysian Insider. The sudden move by PAS Selangor to apply pressure on the state government to ban alcohol sales is also a reflection of the infighting which is happening now in the party. According to Sin Chew Jit Poh, the heart of the conflict lies with one person, the Selangor PAS chairman Hassan Ali. Mr Hassan Ali belongs to the conservative camp of PAS, who has over the years strongly advocated theocracy as well as Malay rights.  | | ULAMAFACTION LEADER: Datuk Abdul Hadi Awang --PICTURE: NSTP | Such a discourse is vastly different from PAS' effort, especially by reformists like Mr Nik Aziz, to try to shed its racist image. The conservative stance has rattled the nerves of coalition partners PKR and to a greater extent DAP. For the moderate group, winning the hearts of the non-Muslims is the desired end and the means is by winning over their own Malay Muslim grassroots first, the news portal said. The problem in the past has been that for non-Muslims, PAS has been 'unelectable' due to fear of Islamisation. While 8 Mar proved non-Muslims are willing to vote for a more moderate PAS, inconsistencies in how the party conducts itself only breeds contempt and doubts over its sincerity. The moderates are now fighting back against what they see as regressive steps. Championing of Bumiputera rights, for example, is seen as an area which is not considered a priority by the moderates. It is an Islamic, not a Malay party, they contend. More humble approach Mr Khalid, when asked on his ejection from the Selangor committee, was gracious in conceding that state chief Mr Hassan Ali should be allowed to work with a team he was most comfortable with. 'We are not here to displace them. We are happy to play second fiddle. We cannot deny that the base is the conservative northern and eastern Malay belt, but we are here to add value,' a leading moderate told The Malaysian Insider. 'I believe the hardliners are all sincere without any sinister motive,' said PAS research chief Dr Dzulkelfy Ahmad. The moderate group will likely grit its teeth from now until next year's assembly and persevere even if its rank and file continue to be 'persecuted'. The catch-22 for the hardline ulama group is while it fears the party will be taken over by the moderates, it also needs these personalities.
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Why You Should Not Vote Barisan Nasional 
