Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, son to party spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat, has won the PAS Youth deputy chief’s post in a four-cornered fight which saw incumbent Azman Shapawi badly trounced.

There were also changes in the PAS Muslimat, or women's wing, which saw the top two posts changing hands.

The Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof and Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud are now the number one and two in the wing.

nik abduh muktamar 020611 Nik Abduh ( centre ) garnered 260 of the 655 votes cast, while Azman only managed 94 votes.

Two other candidates, Firdaus Jaafar and Suhaizan Kaaiat, scored 193 and 107 votes respectively.

The number two spot in the Islamic party’s youth movement is the highest post up for grabs in the wing’s election as incumbent chief Nasruddin Hassan won unopposed.

Met by reporters after the results were announced, Nik Abduh expressed suprise at his victory.

“I am still shocked by it. Because all those who are in the running are capable.

“I think that maybe I received more votes because of the regard that the delegates held for my father, the extra votes for me are an expression of their regard,” he said.

Asked what his agenda is after taking over, he said that it is too early to say.

“But I hope to be a worthy successor to Azman and after that a worthy assistant to Nasruddin,” he answered.

Nik Abduh also said that he was glad that the competition for the post was a friendly contest among gentlemen, as they were all childhood friends.

This morning, Nik Abduh was the first Youth exco member to announce his pledge of RM500 to party coffers in a fundraising event held in conjunction with the muktamar.

‘Don’t neglect us’

Meanwhile, in the afternoon session of debating Nasruddin’s policy speech, the youth wing continue to come under fire from various state youth divisions who felt that the central leadership has neglected certain areas.

In particular, the delegates from Sabah and Malacca bemoaned their sidelining in the movement’s agenda.

“I have read the policy speech till the end, but not even once did I see anything about the agenda for Sabah and Sarawak.

“Do not neglect us. Without our parliament seats, there are 25 in Sabah alone, your hope of winning Putrajaya is nothing more than just empty dreams,” said a delegate from the land below the wind, Firdaus Fuad.

His lament was echoed by Malacca delegate Syahbudin Senin.

Syahbudin said that while Malacca may not be under Pakatan rule, it is the responsibility of the movement to energise the local political climate if they really want to have any hope of toppling BN.

The same sentiment is also echoed by several other delegates who demanded more visible efforts from the central leadership.

dr siti mariah interview 300408 03 Delegates also lamented the widening distance between PAS Youth and student movements, which makes recruitment efforts difficult.

New Muslimat chief, too

Meanwhile, the Muslimat wing saw a new leader taking the helm, with Siti Zailah bagging 358 votes to oust incumbent Nuridah Salleh.

The Muslimat deputy chief will be Dr Siti Mariah (left) , who scored 437 votes to oust Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan.

Senator Mumtaz Mohd Nawi had a better outing in this year’s party polls, retaining her position as vice-chair as she emerged tops in a four-cornered fight with the highest tally of 377 votes.