PAS reportedly intends to field its vice-president Salahuddin Ayub in the Pasir Mas parliamentary constituency, now held by Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali.

Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily today quoted sources as saying that the Kelantan PAS state liaison committee has come up with a preliminary list of candidates for the next general election.

It states that Salahuddin, now the Kubang Kerian MP, will be fielded in Pasir Mas.

NONE The report also claimed that the  list has been submitted to the Syura Council, the highest authority in PAS.

In the last general election, Ibrahim ( right ) stood on a PAS ticket and defeated the Umno candidate. He then turned Independent, and has since established the Malay rights group Perkasa.

If PAS decides to contest in Pasir Mas, a three-cornered fight is likely, as Umno is likely to join the fray.

When contacted today, Salahuddin said he was not aware of the nomination.

“I don’t know what happened,” he said, with a laugh.

“It is up to the party. I have been in the party for 30 years. I leave it to the party, let the party decide.”

When asked to comment, Ibrahim said: "PAS can field whoever the party wants in Pasir Mas. That is their right."

Salahuddin confirmed that the PAS central committee has requested all state liaison committees to submit the names of their shortlisted candidates, and the central leadership would finalise the list, probably by the end of this month.

“The list will be sent to the Syura Council first to scan the names from the aspect of morality and other problems. Then it will be finalised by the central committee,” he said.

The daily also reported that another PAS vice-president, Husam Musa, would defend his Salor state constituency and at the same time, replace Salahuddin in Kubang Kerian.

The 80-year-old Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, will continue to defend his Chempaka seat, the report says.