Tuan Ibrahim opts not to vie for PAS No 2 post

Despite garnering enough nominations to challenge PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu for the No 2 post in party, its information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has decided not to go for the post.

Tuan Ibrahim will instead contest for one of the three posts of vice-president, for which he has also obtained sufficient nominations.

"I appreciate the trust given through the nominations for me to be deputy president, but I feel it is beyond me to take on such a heavy responsibility.

"This is especially so, since there are several others who have been nominated for the post as well," he said in a statement issued from Doha, Qatar.

Tuan Ibrahim is the second out of five who have qualified to battle for the number two post in the Islamic party to decline his nomination, after current vice-president Salahuddin Ayub.

Only incumbent Mohamad Sabu, widely referred to as Mat Sabu, has put himself foward while the other two, incumbent vice-presidents Husam Musa and Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, are still mum.

Besides Tuan Ibrahim, also vying for a vice-presidency is Abu Bakar Chik.

Will the ulama make a comeback?

Among the 10 who have qualified to contest for this position are heavyweights from the ulama faction, Mohd Amar Nik, Nasruddin Hassan and Idris Ahmad.

Analysts believe the Nov 22-24 party elections will see a comeback of the ulama force after they were trounced by the professionals in the last PAS elections.

All three incumbent vice-presidents, including Mahfuz Omar (right), have enough nominations to defend their posts but are yet to say whether they will.

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said PAS has to deal with many challenges today, including its cooperation within Pakatan Rakyat, and to build a strong and united Islamic community.

Coupled with his role as Pahang PAS commissioner, he said, the post of deputy president post would have too much on his plate.

Moreover Pahang PAS still has a lot of work ahead of it, in preparation for the next general election, he said.

"Leadership is a heavy responsibility which is entrusted in this world and measured in the afterlife," he said.

He also urged PAS members to not fall for schemes that could divide the party.

Everybody in the part, whether professionals or from the ulama, have a role to play in the struggle and differences of opinions should be give due respect, Tuan Ibrahim added.