PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar today announced he will defend the post in the party polls next month.     

"Yes, I will defend the post. I accept the nomination and I have announced it this morning during my press conference on the subsidy," he said when contacted.     

The Pokok Sena member of parliament said he wanted to contest the post as he wanted to help party president Abdul Hadi Awang, who won uncontested for a fifth term, and hoped the delegates would support him based on his ability.     

Ten leaders have been nominated for the three vice-president posts, including three incumbents - Mahfuz, Salahuddin Ayub and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.     

Seven others are mostly new faces, including party information chief Idris Ahmad, treasurer-general Hatta Ramli, Kedah Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, Kelantan exco member Nik Amar Nik Abdullah, PAS Central Committee member Nizar Jamaluddin, dewan ulama secretary Nik Zawawi Nik Salleh and Mazlan Aliman.     

However, apart from Mahfuz, Salahuddin and Idris, other qualified candidates for the veep post have not announced whether they accepted the nomination as they were given until May 26 to decide.   

For the post of deputy president, so far, only two PAS leaders, incumbent  Nasharuddin Mat Isa and central committee member Mohamad Sabu, have confirmed they would contest the number two post.     

Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan is set to retain his post uncontested after three other candidates decided not to contest.     

- Bernama