PAS central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Aziz has been challenged to name those he called "lackeys" (barua) if such individuals do exist.

PAS Sepang MP Mohamed Hanipa Maidin was responding to Nik Abduh's claim reported in Sinar Harian yesterday that such " barua " in the party were more loyal to the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat than to their own party.

"Ask Nik Abduh ( right ). If he says there are lackeys in PAS, then he should prove it.

"As far as I know there are no lackeys in PAS. I too would like to know, all of us would like to know (about these lackeys)," he said at a press conference today.

Hanipa said what have been taking place within the party were merely differences of opinion, and said such differences happen in all political parties.

The comments of Nik Abduh, who is the son of late PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, come as the ulama faction and the progressive faction go head-to-head in the run-up to the party's leadership elections.

The ulama faction has made claims that there are efforts by factions within the party to "topple" PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and suggested that these factions leave the party.

Hanipa said clashing opinions during party elections are a normal occurence.

"When there are elections, (differences of opinion) become more heated.

"The muktamar is like a friendly competition. Sometimes, there is rough play and also red cards. That's normal within the party," he said.

When asked about claims about a plot to oust Hadi, Hanipa said he "didn't want to entertain rumours".