The contest for the PAS leadership heats up today with Husam Musa gunning for the vice-president’s post while incumbent vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man announcing that he would be going for deputy presidency.

Husam, who was PAS vice-president for two-term between 2005 to 2009, is now trying to make a comeback to the party mainstream after a failing to win the deputy presidency back in 2009.

He had initially stated his intention to contest for the 18 central committee posts up for grabs, his decision to accept nominations for vice-presidency, one day before the deadline, comes as a surprise.

Husam, said that his decision follows the announcement that incumbent vice-president Tuan Ibrahim will not be defending his post.

He adds that the party’s top leadership requires a representative from Kelantan, where the party has had an uninterrupted rule since 1990.

In view of firebrand cleric Abdul Hadi Awang winning the presidency unopposed, Husam said that the party leadership also needs professionals to bolster the ranks.

Husam was trained as an economist and has been a federal and state lawmaker. He is currently a Kelantan exco member.

Two remaining incumbents Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub have confirmed that they would be defending their seats, while current information chief Idris Ahmad has also confirmed joining the race. 

Three-corner fight for No 2?

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man announcing his acceptance to nominations for deputy presidency on his blog this morning.

Tuan Ibrahim said he is willing to pit his fortune against current contestants Mohamad Sabu and incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa, albeit with reluctance.

"I have repeatedly said that I am more willing to contest as vice-president, as I want to continue with my work.

"But the many divisions continued to nominate me, so much so that the number of nominations are quite large," he said, but declined to reveal how many.

opposition boycott by-election 110107 mohamad sabu Party insiders say Tuan Ibrahim is the forerunner in the nominations race, followed by Mohamad Sabu (left) and Nasharuddin.

Others who have qualified to contest for the No 2 spot are Kelantan exco member Husam Musa and vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, both of whom have already turned down their nominations.

Another qualified nominee, Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, is believed to be unlikely to contest, considering that he received a relatively small number of nominations.

Tuan Ibrahim's announcement today is likely to be a challenge for Mohamad Sabu, as both are believed to share the same support base, with Tuan Ibrahim being the more popular of the two.

Strongly aligned to his uncle and PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Tuan Ibrahim is also respected as a religious scholar - an advantage that is said to put him ahead of Mohamad Sabu.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Pahang PAS commissioner, came out on top in the nominations for the vice-president race in the last party elections.

He is currently spearheading PAS' anti-slander campaign in response to the sex video allegations against Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim.

‘There are better candidates'

Tuan Ibrahim's acceptance is read by pundits as a move by pressure groups within the party against the incumbent Nasharuddin, whose popularity is waning.

pas for all campaign launch 110907 nasharudin mat isa Further hinting at his reluctance to do battle, Tuan Ibrahim said: "I would like to thank all who have nominated me, but I humbly state that I am not the best among those nominated.

"There are others who are more qualified, for they have more experience in this struggle and have proven themselves in the party for a much longer time."

Mohamad Sabu had earlier been tipped by political scientists to have a higher chance of winning the No 2 post, compared with Nasharuddin ( right ).

Candidates qualified to contest for top posts in the Islamic party have until Thursday to accept their nominations, via post, SMS or fax.

PAS will hold its muktamar from June 3 to June 5.