Hadi is PAS No. 1 again

Hadi has won the top post in PAS for a fifth term. — File pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 —Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has won the post of PAS president for a fifth term uncontested, while six candidates have been nominated for the post of deputy president in the party elections.

Hadi, 64, was elected party president in the 2003 party elections and has held on to the top position unchallenged since then.

The six named for the No. 2 post are incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa, Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, Datuk Husam Musa, Mohamad Sabu, Salahuddin Ayub and Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The list of candidates for the election was announced today by party secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and election panel chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman.

Only Nasharuddin and central committee member Sabu have so far confirmed that they will be contesting.

Incumbent vice-presidents Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Salahuddin and Tuan Ibrahim have been named to contest the post. Others nominated are Azizan, Husam, Idris Ahmad, Mazlan Aliman, Sabu, Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah, Mohd Hatta Ramli, Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Nasharudin, Ustaz Nik Zawawi Nik Salleh, and Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin.

PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Thantawi has been nominated to recontest the post. He faces a fight from Azman Shafawi, Firdaus Jaafar and Suhaizan Kaiat.

The deputy Youth chief’s position will see a contest among Ahmad Sabki, Azman, Firdaus, Mohd Nor Hamzah, Nasarudin, Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, Raja Ahmad Al-Hiss Raja Yaakob, Riduan Mohd Nor and Suhaizan.

Abdul Halim said the candidates have until May 26 to confirm whether they will be contesting.

On the campaigning guidelines, Mustafa said there aren’t any written rules.

“In PAS, we are all gentlemen, we don’t need to be told the do’s and don’ts.

“For those who campaign too hard, they will not be popular among other representatives,” he said.

The party elections will be held early next month.