ANALYSIS | The 63rd PAS muktamar in Alor Setar, Kedah, ended yesterday, after five gruelling days of repetitive speeches and mudslinging against the party’s once long-time allies, DAP and PKR.
Faulty air-conditioners, followed by a freak storm that injured several delegates at the muktamar grounds in Kota Sarang Semut, added to the chaotic situation.
The Malaysiakini team shares some observations of the PAS event, which was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from across the country from April 27.
There was no doubt that the PAS leaders and delegates seemed to be on a general election mode. But are they ready to face the GE14 alone?
1. Hadi is the biggest winner
Throughout the entire muktamar, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was hailed as the supreme leader, who is second only to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The delegates expressed their support for his policy speech and heaped praises on him as the most suitable ulama to advise the Agong.
Some delegates, including members of the PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Wing, want to see Hadi as the next prime minister.
Hadi, according to them, is morally upright, has great faith in Islam and has traits similar to the Agong.
2. But what about PAS?
Thrice, PAS delegates gave a resounding yes when asked if they agreed to the party cutting ties with PKR.
At first glance, the move may seem advantageous to BN and Umno, especially Prime Minister Najib Adul Razak.
Najib is seen as the architect of the divorce between PAS and its allies, through his support for Hadi's move to table the amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act or Act 355.
Hadi expressed his gratitude to Najib during his closing speech at the muktamar.
However, PAS will now face the coming 14th polls alone.
It is still uncertain if the party's alliance with Ikatan in Gagasan Sejahtera, the so-called third bloc, would help keep the PAS votes.
Can PAS maintain its 14 parliamentary and 78 state seats, while fantasising about capturing five states and 40 parliamentary seats?
PAS appears to be confident, even though it must now face two major competitors - Parti Amanah Negara and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia - in this coming polls...