Husam Musa named to take on Hadi

Kota Tinggi division nominates vice-president to challenge party leader.

JOHOR BARU: Husam Musa, a vice-president of PAS, has been nominated by the Kota Tinggi division to challenge Abdul Hadi Awang for the party presidency.

As news of the nomination spread on the Internet, another vice-president Salahuddin Ayub confirmed the nomination with Malaysian Insider.

Another challenger may be named by Parit Sulong PAS division when its committee convenes next week, the Insider reports.

Earlier today, Kelantan menteri besar Ahmad Yakob had called for Abdul Hadi to be returned unopposed.

Hadi, the MP for Marang and a former Terengganu menteri besar, has been party president since 2002 when he succeeded the late Fadzil Noor, the popular party moderniser.

His position as party leader has become shaky after growing divisions between the progressive wing which favours closer cooperation with the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Pakatan Rakyat, and the conservative ulama wing led by the religious scholars.

The Kelantan state government’s moves to implement the Islamic penal code of hudud has led to sharp difference with the DAP and fuelled the growing turmoil.

It is believed to be the worst party crisis since 1982, when the party’s then president Asri Muda was overthrown.

It is not known who would be nominated by Parit Sulong PAS. Its division leader, Khairudin Abdul Rahim, was quoted as saying that some else would be nominated, “one who will actually contest and not withdraw after being nominated”.

This could be viewed as a reference to vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man of Kota Baru, an ally of the ulama, who pulled out after being nominated, saying he was backing Hadi.

Tuan Ibrahim had said the party president had never been challenged in PAS history and was not good for party unity.

The party will hold elections in June.