Former PAS vice-president Ahmad Awang will challenge incumbent Abdul Hadi Awang for the Islamic Party's top post.

The veteran leader said the reason he is contesting is to strengthen the party.

"This is a party that practises democracy and we want to strengthen the party," he told reporters after he submitted his candidacy papers at PAS' headquarters today.

Ahmad, 79, said he had consulted his supporters and advisors thoroughly before making this decision.

However, he declined to reveal how many nominations he has received to contest.

"Now PAS is a key player in national politics. That's why I accepted the nomination... I do not want to dissapoint (my supporters)," he said.

Giving Pakatan a boost

Ahmad, who is part of the party's ulama class, is understood to be a PAS leader who is more inclined towards strengthening Pakatan Rakyat, as compared to Abdul Hadi.

As the Perak PAS commissioner in 2008, Ahmad played a key role in helping the formation of the first non-BN government in Perak.

Ahmad said he would want PAS to receive the support of non Muslims as well as their traditional voters to topple Barisan Nasional in the next general election.

"I must work to unite PAS again with the spirit of brotherhood to be backbone of Pakatan. Today (although) PAS are together in Pakatan, we need to mend the situation as we are on the road to Putrajaya.

"With this, we will have hope in the 14th general election," he said.

Abdul Hadi has not been challenged since he took helm 13 years ago, in line with the party's unwritten "leadership by ulama" policy.

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