ISEAS Perspective - Abdul Hadi Awang Enhances His Power as PAS President and Drives the Party to the Far-Right

*Abdul Haji Awang assumed the Presidency of the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) in 2002. Picture: Facebook Page of Abdul Hadi Awang.*

In this paper published by NYSEAN Partner ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, author James Chai "seeks to understand how Abdul Hadi Awang has used his influence since 2015 to restructure the Islamic party, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) via the following mechanisms: a) The president’s ability to shuffle between the central committee and the Majlis Syura Ulamak (MSU) (revolving door concept); b) Ulama-based ideological takeover at every level of the party; and c) The reduced personal stature of subsequent spiritual-leaders after Nik Aziz. Abdul Hadi has impactfully exercised his powers as president in many ways which has garnered validation from the other coalition party Perikatan Nasional (PN). However, dissent may grow stronger in PAS if (a) Abdul Hadi reconsiders the PN partnership; (b) Nik Aziz’s family decides to launch more vocal opposition, and; (c) the limits on the ability of Malay votes to win Putrajaya become more obvious."

James Chai is a Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and is a columnist at MalaysiaKini and Sin Chew Daily.