PAS information chief Dr Harun Din has fixed his sights on two targets in the next general election - to win seats as a candidate and to win two key states for his party in the north of the country.

His goals are based on expressions of support by many in Kedah and Perlis, following speculation that he may stand as a candidate in the 11 th general election, due by November next year.

"When I attended several programmes in Kedah and Perlis recently, I met people at the grassroots. They include PAS members and supporters, as well as fence sitters and Umno members. They have promised to give me their support," he told a press conference at Harakah's office in Kuala Lumpur.

"To me it is a sign (of acceptance) that they want to listen to my opinions. I am very confident that if I stand in Kedah or Perlis, the situation will change," said Harun, who is a spiritual healer with a clinic in Bangi, Selangor.

" Insya' Allah (God willing), the people will vote for change after being under the current (Barisan Nasional) government for so long. I am confident that we can win the states."

Eye for Kubang Pasu?

PAS has hoped that Harun would be able to replace the late party leader Fadzil Noor, who was from Kedah, to lead the campaign in seizing the two frontline states to add to the other two northern states which it already controls - Kelantan and Terengganu.

The Muslim-based party currently has 12 out of 36 state seats in Kedah, while in Perlis, the party has three out of 15 state seats.

Just yesterday, Harun said, a group of Umno members (whose identities he did not reveal) visited him at home, expressing the hope that he would take on Perlis Mentri Besar Shahidan Kassim in the general election.

"They also want me to contest the parliament seat in Kubang Pasu (Kedah) - the seat held by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir (Mohamad)."

However, Harun has yet to decide which constituency to contest, saying he preferred the matter to be decided by the PAS leadership.

"I have been offered a choice of any seat in Kedah and Perlis. I personally would want to stand in Perlis because it is my home state. However, the party may have its own strategy so, it's too early for me to announce the constituency," he said..

He also said he was willing to consider standing in both a parliamentary and state seat if the need arises.

Withdrawals explained

Speculation that Harun, a well-respected PAS leader, would play a major role in PAS' election campaign started several weeks before the party held its Muktamar (general assembly) last month.

His nomination then for deputy president's post had excited many members and supporters, especially from the northern states, as they believed that his popularity in the Malay community would help the party's electoral prospects against rival Umno.

However, their excitement was short-lived. He made a surprise decision not to contest the post, which was later won by former Selangor commissioner Hassan Shukri. He was later appointed information chief as a way of retaining him in the inner circle of power.

Explaining his withdrawal from contesting at the Muktamar , Harun said he was not ready to "fight" for the No 2 post.

"When they informed me that I was nominated, I told them I would only accept the post if there was no contest. Anyway, that is in the past and when I was offered the information chief's post, I had no difficulty accepting it."

Harun also laid to rest the ghost of Election 99, when he withdrew as a candidate at the last minute due health and other personal reasons.

Saying that the problems had been settled, he gave an assurance of not making an eleventh-hour withdrawal this time around.

Party's chances

Harun also said steady and increasing support for PAS in Kedah and Perlis was a sign that the party has a strong chance of upsetting BN.

"I am overwhelmed by the support from Malay youths, as they are normally more attracted to entertainment and money - something which Umno has in abundance. So this shows their commitment to PAS," he said.

He quipped that Mahathir's retirement would boost PAS' chances to win Kedah, saying: "One cannot deny his influence in the state. Once he is out of the picture, no doubt, voters will have swing their support to us."

Addressing the frequent attacks against PAS leaders and policies in the print and broadcast media, Harun conceded that convincing non-Muslims voters would be a hard, "but not impossible" task.

"I am happy to say that there are some changes among non-Muslims. For example we have Buddhists in Perlis who not only support the party but who also take part in our ceramah to explain PAS policies.

"When I met a group of people from a village in Jawi (Perlis) who are descendants of Thai Buddhists, I found open support among them. So, we are making inroads in getting to our non-Muslim friends."

Asked to comment on talk that he will be made menteri besar of Perlis or Kedah if PAS takes these states, Harun described this as a non-issue to him because he is more concerned about helping the party to win.

However, he did say he was puzzled as to how such a deduction could be made because it is the party's practice to appoint its state commissioner as menteri besar - as has happened in Kelantan and Terengganu.

"I haven't won any seat yet, but people seem to have the idea that I am the future... To me, the decision as to who becomes the MB is up to the top leadership. As a politician, I will comply with the decision," he added.