Mat Sabu out as ulama sweeps top two PAS seats

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic) edged out Mohamad Sabu from the PAS deputy presidency tonight, giving the clergy class or ulama, a clean control of the party’s highest two leadership posts.

Tuan Ibrahim, previously a vice-president, beat popular speaker and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) stalwart Mohamad, also known as Mat Sabu, by snapping up 881 votes to the latter’s 279.

The Pahang PAS commissioner will now partner president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who earlier retained his presidency amid a challenge by former vice-president Ahmad Awang.

A total of 1,162 delegates out of the 1,189 present voted, with one unreturned ballot and one spoilt vote.

The result was announced by PAS elections director Asmuni Awi, just over three hours after voting was closed at 7pm today.

Tuan Ibrahim was elected as PAS vice-president in 2013 when he knocked out incumbent Datuk Mahfuz Omar, who is now running again for the post.

The former Jengka assemblyman was among those in the candidates list endorsed by the powerful Ulama wing released in its muktamar, or annual congress on Wednesday, together with other pro-ulama leaders.

More results are expected to be announced tonight while the full results is scheduled to be out tomorrow morning when the muktamar continues.