Husam Musa: Not wise for PAS to complement Umno

“We have had experience of that (when Pas was in Barisan Nasional). We didn’t benefit anything. There is a lot of trust by the people in PAS and we should not take that trust for granted,” said Husam in a press conference to address his defeat to Nasharuddin Mat Isa in the party's deputy president race.

 

He said he entered the race knowing that he would lose because he felt that there should not be any shortcuts to cooperate with Umno through whatever means.

 

Husam, who is regarded as the leader of the liberal faction in PAS, also refuted suggestions that his defeat would signal the end of the party’s openness.

 

“The vice-presidents and central committee are people who are committed to change,” he said.

 

Commenting on the fact that he entered the race knowing that he would lose, Husam said there were many elements both within and without the party that was against him.

 

“I did not run an aggressive campaign. There were many elements that were against me, including party organs that I felt was lopsided. I know the challenges ahead of me (when contesting), especially when I cannot openly criticise and post different views.

 

“Hence the other side’s view was spread through many avenues. In that scenario obviously it was easier to lose than win,” he explained. According to Husam, the first attack came in the form of an anti-Husam blog after the talks between Umno and PAS surfaced.

 

On whether the party election results showed that the delegates agreed to having talks with Umno or whether the delegates did not get the right information, Husam said the result of the vice presidents and central committee elections showed that they did not agree with talks with Umno.

               

He is also not too concerned of his future in the party because he never thought he would rise in the ranks. He added that he would continue PAS's struggle to replace Umno in governing the country.

 

Husam also vowed to continue to monitor any efforts to bring PAS into Umno.

 

“This is a way that will destroy PAS. I didn’t bring the issue up to win but for the matter to be understood and deliberated. Any secret negotiations with Umno and to share power in whatever form is not good for PAS,” he said, adding that he did not agree with the way the leadership was linked to Umno.

 

On whether his alleged close relationship with Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim contributed to his defeat, he said: “Some quarters have tried to create such a perception in their efforts to create chaos in Pakatan Rakyat. If you ask Anwar, I have disagreed with him openly in meetings.”

 

He also did not think that the election results would affect the party’s relationship with DAP and PKR because those who were elected know what is important in the current Malaysian political scene.

 

Asked if he rejected the unity government concept, Husam said he failed to understand how the idea could work.

 

“It happened in South Africa and UK at a time when the party did not have majority. But in our situation, Umno and BN have the majority. At the same time they did not offer the Opposition to join the government, but instead it was the Opposition that offered Umno,” he said.