Sabu goes for PAS deputy president's post

PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Md Isa is expected to face an increasingly tough fight to retain his post at the party polls next month.

Party vice-president Mohamad Sabu is the first leader among several strong contenders to officially declared his interest to contest the post.

Another popular leader expected to throw his hat into the ring is Husam Musa, also an incumbent vice-president.

Mohamad Sabu ( left ), who is well-known for his oratory skills, told Malaysiakini that his decision to challenge Nasharuddin was made in accordance to the wishes of party members.

"I would like to serve the party and help the president (Abdul Hadi Awang). This is based on my experience working with the non-Muslim communities, the NGOs as well as with DAP," he said.

He refused to comment if he thought Nasharuddin had been ineffective as a deputy president.

"I don't want to comment about other people," he said.

Battle between two factions

The contest for all top posts in the party this time around is expected to see a battle between two factions - one which supported the unity talks with Umno and the other aligned with PKR and DAP.

While Nasharuddin ( right ) was largely seen to be in the first group, Mohamad Sabu is however not openly aligned to any factions.

Husam on the other hand is seen to be with the pro-Pakatan Rakyat team.

"I am in the PAS faction," Mohamad Sabu said in response to a question if he could garner the support from both the factions.

It is learnt that Mohamad Sabu, who had been a vice-president for two terms, has received enough nominations to contest for the deputy's post.

Apart from Mohamad Sabu and Husam ( left ), the other party leaders said to be eyeing the deputy's post are Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Razak and the party's deputy spiritual leader Dr Haron Din.

PAS' annual meeting will be held at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam.

Meanwhile Husam was reported as saying in Bernama that he has yet to decide whether to contest for the deputy president's post or retain his vice-presidency.

"It is still early for me to make a decision. Let me wait for the right time," he said.