PAS TO DROP DIVORCE PLEDGE IN ‘BAI’AH’
Islamic party has increased political clout, says party ulama chief
PAS is expected to drop the divorce clause in its controversial bai’ah (oath of allegiance), which its election candidates are required to take.
Pas ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said the party believed that its political clout had increased, hence the b ai’ah would have to be streamlined, with the talak tiga divorce clause likely to be discarded.
Mahfodz said the divorce clause was included by Pas’ late spiritual leader and Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat due to the party’s “severely weakened position” in Kelantan back then.
Mahfodz was referring to Pas’ loss of a two-thirds majority in Kelantan in the 11th General Election in 2004.
Under the bai’ah, Pas members who contested on the party ticket had to sign a religious pledge that they would divorce their spouses if they left the party while still holding positions as elected representatives.
The bai’ah ha d originally contained only a clause “that a candidate would be damned (laknat) by Allah” should he violate the pledge.
“But, today, we are not in a crisis, just like what had happened in Kelantan.
“We will streamline the bai’ah and it is likely that the divorce clause will not be included.
“Generally, the bai’ah pledge of loyalty to the party. Those who violated the bai’ah will be damned by Allah,” Mahfodz said yesterday.
Mahfodz also defended the party’s decision to continue with the bai’ah.
“Bai’ah is not something extreme. It is a mechanism and an approach used since the days of Prophet Muhammad, and, today, it is the best measure to prevent party members from jumping ship.
“For Pas, the bai’ah is a mechanism to inculcate awa re n es s among Pas elected representatives that they had won the race not by themselves, but thanks to the party.”
Previously, Kedah Parti Amanah Negara deputy chairman Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi had claimed that the bai’ah’s divorce clause was “extreme” in nature.