ALOR SETAR: Kelantan PAS Ulama have called for a more structured plan to nurture the next generation of leaders.
Its information chief Abdul Fattah Jaafar said it is crucial for the party in shaping its long-term direction and ensuring the Islamist party's future leadership.
"The party must revive earlier practices of sending cadres abroad for higher studies to produce future leaders equipped with global exposure and expertise," he said while debating the Pas Ulama chief's keynote address at the 64th PAS Ulama assembly here on Saturday (Sept 13).
He also called for greater engagement with academicians through forums, conferences and scholarly discourse to reinforce the party’s intellectual standing.
This would also enhance the stature of ulama as the central reference point in national debates.
He further proposed the creation of a strategic research centre to gather experts in solving pressing issues such as education, cost of living and social challenges.
Abdul Fattah said the SG4 states must take the lead in producing future leaders across key fields.
He said top-performing students should be identified and channelled into specialised studies ranging from degree to doctoral level.
"For instance, maybe one PhD candidate from each of the SG4 states can be sent abroad per year and we must ensure their return as experts who can become points of reference for both the party and the nation," he said.
SG4, or State-Government 4, are the four opposition-led states: Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu and Perlis.
He added that the Ulama wing should initiate a dedicated entity, a strategic research and thought centre.
"Through this, we can gather experts capable of addressing pressing societal challenges, including education, economic pressures and social stability," he said.
He also proposed that the stature of ulama must be enhanced as the principal reference in intellectual debates, policymaking and solutions to national crises.
He said collaboration with international ulama circles, along with global scholarly dialogues, will solidify Pas’s role as both a thought leader and problem-solver.
