Crucial contest will decide PAS’ future
Of course, watching keenly on the sideline is PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose ardent wish is to see the liberals triumph so that he can exert some form of influence over the Islamist party.
The Ant Daily
When PAS holds its crucial election on Nov 22, the stage is all set for a clash between the fundamentalists and liberals as they decide who will be the next deputy president.
Incumbent Datuk Mohamad Sabu, or popularly known as Mat Sabu, is expected to face a stiff challenge from fundamentalist Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
Incumbent Datuk Husam Musa, a liberal, was said to be to going for the number two post but he has now decided to defend his vice-president’s post.
“My decision to contest the vice-president’s post is based on the fact that I received the most number of nominations for this post,” he said in a brief statement.
With Husam out of the picture, the race will be a mainly between Mat Sabu and Amar.
More importantly, the outcome of the election will dictate which direction the party will take – the path of liberalism or fundamentalism.
If the liberals get the upper hand, their goal is to win the general election and stay put in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.
If the fundamentalists take over, they want to resume their original struggle of upholding Islam and setting up an Islamic state, and reviewing their ties with DAP and PKR.
Of course, watching keenly on the sideline is PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose ardent wish is to see the liberals triumph so that he can exert some form of influence over the Islamist party.
Mat Sabu and Husam are with the liberal camp while PAS information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Taun Man and Amar are identified as fundamentalists or conservatives. Both sides are working hard to influence the 2,000-odd delegates to the party assembly.
Tuan Ibrahim is not in the race as he has expressed his interest in contesting for the vice-president’s position.
The two other incumbent vice-presidents are Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar.
Husam is trying hard to defend his post as his “political life” in Kelantan is hanging in the balance when he was not picked as an executive council member in the state.
A few months ago, Husam created a controversy when he questioned the performance of state-linked companies, which sparked a row between him and the fundamentalists who are governing the state.
