Move to sideline Hadi begins with PAS Kota Baru naming challenger

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has never been challenged for the post since taking over from the late Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 10, 2015.

The move to sideline PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang began last night when its Kota Baru division nominated vice-president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for the top position in the Islamist party.

PAS Kota Baru said the nomination was part of their efforts to persuade Hadi not to contest the PAS presidency during the party polls in June.

They said Tuan Ibrahim’s nomination would appease the warring factions within PAS and unite the party, which is currently split between the clerics and the professionals.

“The PAS Kota Baru committee meeting last night and nominated Datuk Tuan Ibrahim for the presidency,” PAS Kota Baru chief Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah told The Malaysian Insider after their meeting ended.

"I am confident the president will take this positively as it involved unity in the party."

He said 11 out of the 13 committee members present supported Tuan Ibrahim's nomination.

"Tuan Ibrahim is not a controversial figure and has the trust of Tok Guru Haji Hadi," he said.

"We also feel that the ulama still need to rule the party."

Wan Rahim is the PAS deputy election director and among those who want PAS to remain in Pakatan Rakyat.

He said the decision to nominate Tuan Ibrahim was made after PAS Kota Baru in its annual general meeting last Saturday had given the newly elected committee the mandate to decide whom they would nominate for the party presidency.

PAS Kota Baru’s choice of Tuan Ibrahim, rather than party deputy president Mohamad Sabu, was grounded in the belief that Hadi would only willingly relinquish his seat for someone whom he could trust.

Next Saturday, PAS Parit Sulong, in Johor, is also expected to nominate another contender for the post of president.

This marks the first time Hadi is challenged for the presidency, after having won three elections uncontested since he took over the post from the late Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor.

PAS will hold its party elections during its muktamar, or general assembly, this June in Shah Alam, against the backdrop of infighting and disputes over whether it should remain with the opposition coalition.

PAS’s conservative faction have often clashed with its allies in PR, particularly DAP, while the more progressive leaders in the party, including Wan Rahim, want to remain in PR.

- TMI