PAS picks imam for Chempaka by-election

(The Star) – PAS has picked an imam, Ahmad Fathan Mahmud, to contest the Chempaka state seat on March 25.

PAS vice-president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic) made the announcement at the PAS Islamic Education Centre (Putik) in Pengkalan Chepa on Sunday night.

Ahmad Fathan, 43, is the imam of Masjid Baung here and Pengkalan Chepa PAS treasurer.

He grduated from the Cairo Universiti in Islamic studies.

He was among three people, including Syariah lawyer Nik Baharom Nik Abdullah, also the state Hudud Techical committee member, who were shortlisted to contest the seat.

The by-election is being held following the death of its assemblyman, spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, on Feb 12.

In the 13th general election, Nik Aziz defeated the Barisan Nasional candidate Wan Razak Wan Abdul Razak by 6,500 votes.

Barisan has indicated it would not contest in the by-election.