A tussle for the PAS deputy presidency appears to be taking shape with the various divisions of the Islamic party having nominated five leaders to contest the post, including incumbent Mohamad Sabu, who will defend the post.

NONE The others are PAS vice-presidents Husam Musa ( left ) and Salahuddin Ayub, party information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Kelantan deputy menteri besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

PAS central election committee chairperson Asmuni Awi said 12 have been nominated for the vice-presidency, but only 10 names have been finalised to contest.

They are Husam, Mohamad, Mohd Amar, Mahfuz, Salahuddin, Tuan Ibrahim, PAS Youth chief Nasruddin Hassan, central committee members Abu Bakar Chik and Mujahid Yusuf Rawa and Idris Ahmad.

Asmuni said two names were nominated for presidency but one had been rejected. However, did not disclose the rejected name.

Contacted by Malaysiakin i to clarify the president's post nomination, Asmuni said the other candidate's name was rejected as it did not fulfil party requirements for nomination. He refused to reveal the name of the other candidate,

"We cannot also declare that Abdul Hadi Awang has won the presidency as he has to accept the nomination first," said the election chief.

Asmuni has been quoted by party mouthpiece Harakah as saying that the election committee received 134 nominations and rejected 31. 

Nominees must reply on Nov 8

He said candidates can pick up their nomination forms from Oct 28 and on Nov 8 submit their replies as to whether they are accepting their nominations or are withdrawing from the contest.

NONE Unlike before, Asmuni ( left ) said, all candidates are required to submit their replies within the stipulated date.

“In the past, those who did not submit their replies were deemed to have accepted their nominations.

“However, this time around the committee decided that those nominated who did not return their forms will not be qualified to contest,” he said, adding that candidates would  also be screened to ensure they are not bankrupt.

Also present was the PAS muktamar director Takiyuddin Hassan.

The party will hold its muktamar or convention from Nov 22 and 24 in Shah Alam, Selangor, to select party leaders for the 2013-2015 session.

Asmuni also announced that six nominations were received for the PAS Youth chief contest, including incumbent Nasaruddin. The include vice-head Raja Ahmad Iskandar, Johor PAS chief Suhaizan Kaiat, lawyer Zulhazmi Shariff and exco member Ridhuan Mohd Noor.

Six nominations have also been received for the post of deputy Youth chief and they are Nik Mohd Abduh Nik Aziz, Raja Ahmad, Suhaizan, Kamarulzaman Muhammad, PAS president's son Mohd Khalil Abdul Hadi and Mohd Firdaus Jaafar.

For vice-chief, there are five nominations, including incumbent Raja Ahmad, Mohd Khalil, lawyer Ahmad Zamri Asaad Khuzaimi, Nazri Chik and Mohd Khairul Nizam Khairuddin.