A major reshuffle appears to be on the cards for the PAS leadership on Sunday as a number of leaders close to former state party chief Hasan Mohamed Ali are expected to be dropped.

The process would be watched closely as it remains to be seen whether the lineup would be influenced by the recent shift in power at the central leadership.

NONE Hasan ( in suit in photo) was replaced as the state chief after serving three terms by Dr Abdul Rani Osman, a low profile medical practitioner and Meru state assemblyperson.

Abdul Rani is widely seen as a neutral, who sides with neither the so-called progressive faction of the party, dubbed the Erdogan, or the more conservative pro-ulama faction.

With Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's commitment to retain Hasan in his state cabinet, the new line-up would play a pivotal role in contributing to the state adminitration's policy matters.

Hasan has long served in the state PAS leadership, and is often blamed for stirring up minor obstacles to the state government due to his conservative stance on a number of policies.

Halimah for No 2?

There were also claims that Hasan was part of the pro-unity government group which is inclined towards forming an alliance with Umno.

His bid to strengthen his position further occurred when he removed his deputy Khalid Abdul Samad and information chief Shaari Sungib from his November 2008 lineup.

The duo were dropped allegedly for being highly critical of Hasan's leadership, albeit within closed doors.

Whispers are making the rounds within the PAS grassroots that these two leaders would be making a return to the state party leadership.

exco interview 170408 halimah ali It is speculated that Khalid is unlikely to be returned to his old post as deputy state chief. Instead, Dr Halimah Ali is widely tipped for the post.

If Halimah ( left ) is appointed, it would be a historic moment for PAS as this would be the first time a woman is appointed to such a post.

Halimah, the Selat Kelang state assemblyperson and state exco member, currently holds the position of state PAS committee member.

Abdul Rani's lips sealed

On the other hand, the position of whether the three vice-chiefs, Dr Osman Sabran, Iskandar Abdul Samad and Dr Che Rosli Che Mat would be retained is also provoking keen interest. They are said to be Hasan's allies.

Contacted for comments, Abdul Rani was coy about what would happen when the state committee meets on Sunday.

"The challenge posed by Umno and the BN is big, but to me, the bigger challenge is in uniting ourselves," he said.

He added that the committee will come to a collective decision on the new leadership, adding that "I don't want to dictate to the meeting".