Although PAS deputy president contender Husam Musa lost to incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa, he is happy that his political agenda will be continued by other leaders from the 'Erdogan' camp.

pas muktamar nasharuddin win post 060609 husam pc 01 Husam is referring to those who were elected into the central working committee, which include many 'pro-Erdogan' leaders such as Dzulkefly Ahmad, Kamaruddin Jaafar, Syed Azman, Dr Lo'Lo Ghazali, Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin and Hatta Ramli.

In an immediate reaction to his defeat today, Husam also expressed confidence that his policy which involved strengthening ties with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, will be pursued by the three newly-elected vice-presidents.

Moreover, Husam revealed that the trio - Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar - shared much of his political viewpoint.

Asked about his future plans, Husam told journalists that he would continue to oppose talks between PAS and Umno, although he no longer holds any leadership position in the party.

“It is not about sentiments but this strategy (work with Umno) is not suitable for PAS as PAS would seem supplementary to Umno... unless of course, PAS leads,” he stressed.

pas muktamar hadi raise hand Referring to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's statement about Pakatan forming a unity government with BN, Husam said: “I don't understand how it can happen. (There was a time) in England when no single party had a majority”.

“But Umno holds the majority here... and it is not the BN government that is offering to form a unity government... it is the opposition (as in PAS) that is suggesting it,” said Husam at the press conference.

Nevertheless, Husam - widely regarded as Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s protege - thanked the delegates who had voted for him and congratulated Nasharuddin for his victory.

Husam: 'I expected to lose'

Husam also revealed that he had expected to lose in his bid against Nasharuddin despite being lauded as the top contender.

pas muktamar nasharuddin win post 060609 husam hug nash “I expected to lose because I did not undertake an aggressive campaign and if you have noticed there were too many elements that were against me, including party members who held their own views,” said Husam, who appeared calm and composed.

“I can't discuss my criticism and my views openly - one-sided views were prevalent and therefore in such a situation it is definitely easier to lose rather than win,” he added.

“Maybe my beard is not long enough... or maybe the delegates don't prefer me. (I think) the underlying factor is me,” he quipped.

However, Husam added that if both his votes and Mat Sabu's votes were combined it would be more than 50 percent compared to the votes garnered by Nasharuddin.

'The votes were split'

A member of the central working committee, Hatta Ramli told Malaysiakini that the delegates are “divided” and that the “new leadership will need to look at the overall results in detail”.

pas muktamar 55 general assembly 060609 02 “The majority of the delegates want change but because two of the three candidates were vying for change, the votes were spilt,” he said referring to the 542 votes that Husam (281 votes) and Mat Sabu (261 votes) stole from incumbent Nasharuddin (480 votes).

He also said that the results does not show any massive support for either the conservatives or professionals, labelling it a “good combination”.

On whether the party elections will have an impact on PAS’ relationship with the Pakatan, Hatta pointed out that the status quo have been preserved and that will ensure a continuity of the Islamic party's policy with the opposition alliance.

“Sixteen of those elected today are same old faces so there will be a continuity in terms of policy,” he said.

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