[Live] Shouts of "Takbir" and "Allahuakbar" as Hadi Awang supporters gather at PAS HQ

PAS members gathered at the its headquarters in the heart of Kuala Lumpur as early as 8am in anticipation of today's central committee meeting, which will determine the future of Anwar Ibrahim's wife, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the Islamist party and Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

After a week of delays, all 38 members of the PAS Central Committee have convened at the party's headquarters to deliberate on PKR's proposal to replace Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim with Anwar's wife.

By the time the last leader disappeared through the front doors to join the crucial discussion, the crowd outside the white building had swelled to about 100.

Barred from entering‎, the PAS members‎ mingled on the steps, with a few holding up papers bearing the words "we are members of PAS and we support our president" for the benefit of the waiting pressmen.

"I drove all the way here and paid the RM5 parking for the sole purpose of supporting our leaders today," a PAS member, who wanted to only be known as "Mohamed" said.

"I want to hear what our leaders have to say. And I will support whatever decision they make, as long as it doesn't go against our faith."

Today's meeting attracted the unusual presence of the men in blue, ‎the red-clad PAS Unit Amal members, and women in niqab – the full-face covering observed by‎ some Muslim women – on Jalan Raja Laut, one of the city’s busiest roads.

The lull was broken when PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang arrived about 9.30am, flanked by his entourage.

Shouts of "takbir" and "Allahuakbar" drowned out the sound of traffic but the president merely nodded and waved to his supporters before entering the building.

The lone cry of "traitor" tore through the crowd when one PAS leader entered the vicinity. The PAS leader's face was hidden as he disappeared into the building to join his peers.

In the past few weeks, the Islamist party has been rocked by the ongoing debate over the Selangor menteri besar position.

The ulama faction, headed by Hadi, had backed Khalid to remain, although ‎the stand may have changed since his sacking last Saturday. It is understood that they are unhappy with the prospect of Anwar's wife becoming menteri besar.

The progressive faction, on the other hand,‎ support PKR's position and wish to remain in PR. But the stance is seen as a betrayal by those who stand by the belief that the PAS president and Shura Council should be obeyed at all costs. – August 17, 2014.