No Erdogans for us, we are very experienced, says PAS man

A PAS leader today brushed off critics of the party who compared it to Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP), saying PAS was a reference point for Islamic workers worldwide and did not need to emulate others.

 

Terengganu PAS's Dr Azman Ibrahim also lashed out at those who charged that PAS was spending too much time talking about Islam but could not muster popular support unlike AKP under the leadership of Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

 

The comments against PAS were made on social media, in the wake of the foiled coup attempt by Erdogan's government which saw people spilling into the streets against a small faction of soldiers who launched attacks on key buildings.

 

Writing on PAS portal Harakahdaily, Dr Azman said PAS's critics were too eager to import foreign ideas.

 

“He goes to Turkey for a week, and he returns seething with Turkish ideas. He goes to Tunisia for five days and he returns with Tunisian ideas. He goes to Egypt and is attracted with the Egyptian way!” said the Terengganu PAS committee member, clearly insensed at those who urge the PAS leadership to emulate Erdogan.

 

In recent years, PAS has seen a purge of the so-called "Erdogan" faction, which was completed after party elections last year, bringing to power the conservative faction alligned to PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

 

Dr Azman claimed that PAS was among the most experienced Islamic movements in the world.