With Johor turning into a frontline state for Pakatan Rakyat, PAS is expected to field two candidates from its non-Muslim wing to contest there in order to boost the opposition's plan to make inroads into the BN fortress.

Malaysiakini has learnt that one potential candidates would be PAS Supporters Congress chief Hu Pang Chaw, who is expected to take on MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong in the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.

pas muktamar 2008 hu pang chaw Contacted on Monday, Hu ( left ) said he has been told he would be joining the fray in the southern state.

"I have been notified by the party to get myself ready for Johor, but I leave it to the party to make the formal announcement," he said.

However, he refused to disclose which seat he will be contesting.

PAS national veep Salahuddin Ayub confirmed that Hu's candidacy has been discussed by the party's top brass.

"Yes, it is being discussed and one of the proposed seats for Hu is Ayer Hitam," he said, adding that the final decision would be announced by party president Abdul Hadi Awang soon.

Salahuddin, who is expected to contest in the Pulai parliamentary seat and Nusajaya state seat, also confirmed that Kumutha Rahman, the head of the women's division of the PAS Supporters Congress, will again be contesting a seat in Johor.

It is learnt that Kumutha will recontest the Tiram state seat. She contested the seat under the PKR banner but lost to Umno candidate Maulizan Bujang in the 2008 general election by a majority of 8,178.

PAS had amended its constitution to upgrade its supporters club into a party wing and allow its non-Muslim members to contest directly under the PAS banner.

'Hopefully I can be a giant-killer'

Ayer Hitam is a mixed constituency with 57 percent Malays, 39 percent Chinese and four percent Indian voters.

azlan Wee won the seat for the second time with a reduced majority of 13,909 votes at the 2008 general election and was subsequently appointed deputy education minister.

Asked about his chances against Wee, Hu noted that it would not be an easy battle but he is optimistic following feedback from the ground.

"If I were given the task, I will try my best and hopefully with the support of the people, I can be a ‘giant-killer'," he said.

"I respect Wee, but while he may be a nice guy, he represents a corrupt regime."

According to Hu, the party's internal analysis shows that PAS is expected to garner an overall support of about 33 percent of Malay voters in Johor.

He said if the Malay support could be increased to 35 percent - and in addition to 70 percent of Chinese support and 50 percent of Indian support - he should be able to defeat Wee.

With PAS fielding him and Kumutha, Hu said this showed the Islamic party is open to other religions and not an extremist party as painted by BN.

Hu is a Christian, while Kumutha is a Hindu. It is learnt that PAS will also field a Buddhist to contest a state seat in Malacca.