In February 2012, then Kedah Pas leaders Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh and Datuk Ir. Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi sparked a controversy when they declined reappointment state executive councilors.
The move by Dr Ismail, a medical practitioner, and Phahrolrazi, an engineer by profession, turned to rock the first Pas-led opposition government formed in the Rice Bowl State upon wresting the state from Barisan Nasional in 2008.
The rejection resulted in an open confrontation between the ulama faction led by the late menteri besar Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak and the Erdogans in Pas.
It was a huge blow to Azizan, who was also the state Pas commissioner as the revolt was led by his right-hand men - Phahrolrazi was his deputy commissioner I while Dr Ismail was deputy commissioner II.
The rift had cost Pas the ultimate price when it failed to defend to retain the state government during the 13th General Election (GE13) four years ago.
Phahrolrazi defended his Pengkalan Kundor seat in the May 2013 general election but later jumped to Pas splinter Parti Amanah Negara (PAN). Dr Ismail, who was Alor Mengkudu assemblyman, did not participate in the previous general polls. He is now Kedah PAN chairman.
It is an open secret that loyal Pas members and supporters, particularly in Kedah, are finding it difficult hardly to let go the dark episode.
Worse, the animosity proves to be a stumbling block PAN leaders to make inroads in the state. So much so, they needed help from former rivals to pave the way and facilitate campaign among the rural Malays.
Tomorrow, Dr Ismail, will be playing host to delegates for PAN national convention and also pro-tem opposition pact Pakatan Harapan leaders.
Among the opposition leaders who are attending the convention are the pact’s pro-tem chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman and son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, the former Kedah menteri besar.
PAN president Mohamad Sabu, or “Mat Sabu”, will be returning to Kedah with the pact’s big guns, with aims to display solidarity in facing-off both with Barisan Nasional and Pas in GE14.
Dr Ismail admitted that PAN is riding on the PPBM leaders’ influence to woo supporters in Kedah and also nationwide.
“We have to admit that Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz factors may help Pakatan Harapan to win big in Kedah,” he said when contacted.
The pact had recently decided that Dr Mahathir’s PPBM would lead the bloc’s election machinery, although seat allocation among pact members has yet to be sorted out. But Dr Ismail clarified that the arrangement does not guarantee PPBM’s future role as the administration’s backbone should they win the state.
“Yes, PPBM is leading the charge in Kedah for the next general election, but that does not mean that it will lead the state government if the pact assumes power.”
And it was not surprising at all that PAN had picked Kedah to hold its convention, political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abu Bakar said.
Agreeing that the race for Kedah is a do-or-die mission for PAN and Pakatan, Mohamad it was expected that Mat Sabu’s team would be riding Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz’s influence on the few pockets of grassroots.
“But PAN and Pakatan will face an uphill battle to woo the majority of Pas and Umno loyalists in the rural constituencies to switch sides. These supporters are conservative and loyal to their respective party’s struggles, that they consider bigger than any individual interest,” Mohamad said.
He said the trend is evident in Malay heartlands such as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Mohamad pointed out that history has shown leaders both from Umno and Pas could leave the parties for various reasons, but their resignation could only do so much to affect the rank-and-file’s conviction.
“The other important factor is that they (Malay voters in rural areas) are wary about venturing into uncharted territory in future.”