PAS veteran Ahmad Awang will decide tomorrow whether he will contest for the top post at the party’s leadership elections next month.

“Tomorrow is the last day, by which I must give my answer as to whether I am contesting or not.

“So let’s wait for tomorrow at the PAS headquarters. Only then can I give my answer, whether it’s a yes or a no,” Ahmad told Malaysiakini .

Yesterday, he expressed concern about not knowing the number of nominations he had received so far from party divisions and said he was still  waiting for an official letter on the matter from the muktamar committee.

“I called them and they said the letter will be sent to me by this evening,” he said yesterday.

As to whether he thought his chances in the muktamar were bright, Ahmad ( left ) said his approach was to explain the current status of PAS to the people.

“Anyone who calls me to come, I will go. A few days ago, I was in Sabah.

“Basically, it’s about me being on the ground to explain PAS’ current predicament and on how we can, together, solve the problem.

“From there, if the response is good, then insyaAllah, we will see,” he said.

Ulama are more popular

Ahmad said in election contests, there could only be two outcomes - whether one wins or loses.

“If I win, Alhamdulillah. If I lose, it’s also not a problem.

“It’s how democracy works. And it’s about the wishes of those who nominate me,” he said.

As a potential challenger to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Ahmad has to date received at least three nominations to contest against Hadi.

Another possible challenger is vice-president Husam Musa ( left ) who has received at least seven nominations, but his status as a non-ulama (religious scholar) may prove difficult in attracting a wider support base within the party.

Ahmad, an ulama who is also a staunch supporter of Pakatan Rakyat, is seen as a more viable challenger in a party that venerates ulama leadership.

Many, on the other hand, are unhappy with Hadi due to his indifference towards Pakatan, which has at times threatened the foundation of the opposition coalition.