Tuan Ibrahim ahead of Mat Sabu in nominations

(The Star) – Pro-ulama PAS vice-president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is leading in the race for the party deputy presidency with more nominations than incumbent Mohamed Sabu.

As nominations poured in from the party’s 175 divisions ahead of the elections to be held in June, Tuan Ibrahim has garnered support from 14 while Mohamed has received six.

There is intense interest for this year’s PAS elections due to a possible challenge for the presidency.

While Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is currently leading with 18 nominations to defend his post, vice-president Datuk Husam Musa has received at least five nominations to challenge the president.

This is the first time in 33 years that a potential contender for the presidency in PAS has emerged, although Husam has not confirmed whether he would actually challenge Hadi for the No.1 post.

The ouster of Tan Sri Mohamed Asri Muda in 1982 was the last time a challenge took place for the helm of the Islamist party. Asri was replaced by Yusof Rawa.

Since then, the baton has been passed – from Yusof to Datuk Fadzil Noor and then to Hadi – without any contest taking place.

Hadi has been facing mounting criticism, mostly from DAP over his insistence on pushing for the implementation of hudud in Kelantan, which has led to cracks in the Pakatan Rakyat.

Hadi received nominations from Shah Alam, Kuala Kedah, Kluang, Alor Gajah, Kuala Krau, Besut, Rompin, Kota Raja, Putrajaya, Kulai, Pulai, Wangsa Maju, Jerantut, Kota Kinabalu, Batu Gajah, Hulu Terengganu, Kuala Langat and Sabak Bernam.

Husam’s nomination for the top post came from Kota Tinggi, Batu Sapi, Segamat, Teluk Kemang and Seremban.

There has been widespread speculation that Tuan Ibrahim will be Hadi’s running mate in the elections to defend the dominance of conservative ulama in the party’s top leadership.

Putrajaya PAS chief Kamaruzaman Mohamed said his division was unanimous in nominating Hadi and Tuan Ibrahim for the president and deputy president posts, saying that there was no better person to lead the party than Hadi.

“We believe that PAS must be strong to continue its struggle for Islam. There is no better person to help the president in this cause than Tuan Ibrahim,” said Kamaruzaman.

When contacted, Tuan Ibrahim who is also PAS Pahang Commissioner said he would announce his decision whether or not to challenge Mohamed once all the division had submitted their nominations.

“Nevertheless, I am grateful and humbled by the support of party grassroots,” he said.

Nominations for the party elections will close at the end of the month.