The dominance of Abdul Hadi Awang and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man as president and deputy president gives a clear signal of the continuous solid support of the grassroots towards the leadership of the ulama (religious faction), according to an analyst.

According to Bernama, Abdul Hadi, who is also Marang member of parliament, and Tuan Ibrahim were declared winners of the top two posts in the party for the 2017-2019 term by party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan on Tuesday, after there where no challengers when nominations closed the same day.

The announcement made Abdul Hadi the only PAS leader to dominate the presidency for the pas 15 years compared to the previous presidents, namely, Burhanuddin Mohd Noor (third president), Mohd Asri Muda (fourth president) and Fadzil Mohd Noor (sixth president) who only held the post for 13 years.

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim created his own personal record in retaining the deputy president's post for the second term compared to Nasharudin Mat Isa and Mohamad Sabu, who served one term each.

A political analyst was of the opinion that the Abdul Hadi and Tuan Ibrahim partnership was the best in PAS due to the absence of other leaders who could shoulder the duties of the two top posts, to date.

Associate professor Mohd Izani Mohd Zain from Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Human Ecology Faculty, nevertheless, said retaining Abdul Hadi and Tuan Ibrahim was believed to be aimed at avoiding disunity which could affect PAS' efforts in the next general election.

"The grassroots believe the two leaders are capable of boosting PAS further which is now alone without a political pact. So, their selections are aimed at strengthening and avoiding internal break-ups when the party is making preparations for the 14th general election.

"They (grassroots) don't want to take the risk of changing the leadership, what more after several of their leaders left to form a new party. This time they still prioritise the leadership of the ulama, he told Bernama in Seremban today.

The National Professors' Council (MPN) associate fellow also did not rule out the triumph of Abdul Hadi was related to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) 2016 (Act 355) Bill which was tabled in parliament recently.

"It could be because the grassroots are of the opinion that by retaining Abdul Hadi, the bill will continue to be pursued and voiced out," he added.

Veeps set to remain

Meanwhile, the vice-president posts are likely to remain status quo to avoid fissures in the party as had happened in the past, according to Utusan Malaysia today.

The incumbents Bukit Gantang MP Idris Ahmad, Kelantan deputy menteri besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and Selangor PAS commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad are expected to be returned to power, according to a party source.

“PAS is more focussed on unity among the members a compared to quest for posts, because our main agenda is for mature politics and the strengthening of Islam.

“It would not be surprising if the vice-presidents posts are maintained during the party elections at the coming 63rd muktamar,” Utusan quoted the source as saying.

The source added two new faces, Kota Baru MP Takiyuddin Hassan and Temerloh MP Nasrudin Hassan are likely to secure posts in view of their “excellent track record”.

The two had a strong partnership with Hadi over the latter's private member's bill, reported Utusan.

“It is up to the delegates to choose, because they have been given the full freedom to do so without any influence from outside elements,” the source was reported as saying.