I REFER to the article by Wan Saiful Wan Jan entitled “What Yusof Rawa Did to PAS” (The Star, May 9). The article is a description of how PAS, by virtue of the ulama, turned into a party that developed a ‘chosen by God leadership’ doctrine and how the Majlis Syura Ulama (Ulama Consultative Council) acted as the overriding power over democratic rules and principles.
I noted there was lack of attributive factors in the writing as to why and how such a development took place in PAS. I did my PhD at Universiti Malaya (2007) focusing on Conflict in Islamic Party (PAS) and the change it brought. I gathered information on Yusof Rawa’s leadership as he was the architect of change from the post Asri crisis and the first President and Mursyidul Am of the ulama leadership.
The rise of the young Turks in PAS was coupled with the demand for a more collective decision-making process and a reduction of the power vested in the Central Committee. When the conflict began spiralling in the late 70s, it was the opportunity for the young Turks to grab the situation and start a movement to oust Asri and his cronies.
The concept of Wilayatul Faqeh by the Iranian Revolution (1979) was timely, with justifications for Asri’s strong grip over the party and the cronyism prevailing, especially in Kelantan, the bastion of PAS. Yusof Rawa did not intend to turn PAS into an undemocratic party or one with God-appointed leaders but to control and balance the power of the Central Committee. The council would be the balancing factor. Yusof Rawa did that in the aftermath of the crisis, so that PAS members would trust that the new leadership wanted to balance the power and prevent the possibility of misuse of its authority.
And so they amended the party’s constitution in 1983 to establish a Majlis Syura Ulama headed by its chairman, known as Mursyidul Am (Spiritual Advisor). But somehow the concept was ‘hijacked’ by certain young Turks.
Yusof Rawa was known as a moderate modern and democratic Islamic political leader. He tendered his resignation when he sensed his efforts to open up PAS to non-Malays was rejected by his own executive members. He took it as a vote of no-confidence in his leadership but the central committee rejected his resignation. He was known for opening the door to non-Muslims and engaging in dialogues and ceramah on PAS in Chinese temples.
Yes, there was radical element, especially the east coast block, but it was never solemnised. In many of Yusof Rawa’s statements, he maintained that PAS was an Islamic political party that did not support the practice of kafir mengkafir (labelling another Muslim as kafir because he/she supported Umno). He was also known to embrace the multi-racial realities in Malaysia.
Yusof Rawa was not responsible for radicalising PAS. His ulama leadership model was to inject new hope for a party which had gone through a rough time. It was a creative organisational tool which I named as the second curve to keep the party moving forward in my thesis.
Unfortunately after 30 years or so of the ulama model, there was no effort to create a third curve in PAS. Although the progressive element in PAS tried it proved futile. Ulama leadership became sacred. Yusof Rawa intended it to be an organisational tool but it became a non-comprising theology and ritual in PAS instead.
My father, Yusof Rawa, resigned as the first Mursyidul Am in 1989 and confined himself to spending quality time with his family and travelling. He passed away peacefully on April 28, 2000. The Amanah party has recognised his leadership by continuing his legacy of openness.
DATUK DR MUJAHID YUSOF RAWA
Member of Parliament, Parit Buntar
Vice President of Amanah
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