With the general election around the corner, malaysiakini is moderating a question-and-answer forum to provide opportunity for readers to pose questions to secretary-generals of major political parties.

The first to participate in the forum is the PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa, considered one of the party's most prominent and charismatic leaders on the rise, whose oratory skills has drawn thousands to his political ceramahs.

He is one of the many prominent professionals recruited by the Muslim-based party in recent years as it sought to inject new blood into its ranks.

Fadzil's protege

Nasharuddin was tapped by late president Fadzil Noor ( photo ) for the secretary-general's post at the age of 37 in recognition for his work in steering the party into the political mainstream.

Five months later, he won the Yan parliamentary seat in Kedah, where the party gained sizable ground in Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's home state on the back of the reformasi movement.

"As the party grows bigger, it must be acknowledged that the party's role has to extend beyond that of an opposition party," he told malaysiakini recently.

"This time around, PAS will be facing the people as the governing party in both Kelantan and Terengganu and its performance will depend on its track record in these two states," said Nasharuddin.

Asked whether the party may also have to review its stand and policies on the powerful role of the ulama (Islamic scholars) in the party leadership, Nasharuddin said it is up to members to raise the matter at the coming PAS general assembly, or muktamar .

He however believed that the leadership acknowledged the role of younger leaders as the party is attracting more professionals and they must be provided the opportunity and avenue to contribute effectively.

The party secretary-general is expected to be nominated to a higher post in the muktamar in September.

Law lecturer

Nasharuddin, the eldest in the family of five, was born in 1962 in Negeri Sembilan.

His father, Mat Isa Bujang, was a retired government servant and his mother, Siti Esah Talib, now lived in Banting, Selangor.

The PAS secretary-general received his early education at the St Gabriel's Secondary School, Kuala Lumpur, until 1979 before continuing his studies, first at Institut Teknologi Mara, then at Darul Ulum Lucknow in India, a renowned religious college.

In 1985, he was accepted into the University of Jordan, majoring in Syariah (Islamic Law). When he returned home, Nasharuddin worked as an assistant lecturer at the law faculty of the International Islamic University.

Three years later, he accepted the offer as a lecturer at the law faculty of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1997.

Two years later, Nasharuddin, who is well-versed in Arabic and English, resigned from his academic post and became PAS secretary-general.

Nasharuddin has agreed to answer questions from malaysiakini readers on PAS and its policies.

Please send your questions to [email protected] which will be relayed to Nasharuddin. His answers will be published in malaysiakini .

Gerakan secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye (photo) is next on malaysiakini Q & A panel.