PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali is confident that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang will not be challenged at the party polls in June.

“As far as I know, the number one post will not see a contest,” he told reporters after after attending a donation drive  for flood victims in Kelantan in Kota Baru today.

The donation drive was launched by Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob. Also present was Kelantan Dewan Ulama head Hassan Mohamood.

On the number two post which is held by Mohamad Sabu, Mustafa said the incumbent was likely to be challenged.

Mustafa also said Mohamad Sabu, better known as Mat Sabu, would be called up by a special investigation committee set up by the party to probe an alleged plot to unseat Hadi at the polls.

Meanwhile, commenting on the same matter, Hassan was confident that Hadi would retain his post without beng challenged.

“Now there is no one to compete with him (Hadi). Up to now Hadi has been the best among us. PAS’ strength is Islam, its leadership (president) must be someone who is knowledgeable, speaks Arabic, is authoritative and a capable administrator,” he said.

Watch your emotions, contestants urged

In KUALA LUMPUR, PAS Research Centre executive director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad reminded those who would be contesting in the polls to watch their emotions and not do anything that could tarnish the image of the party and their own campaign.

He said he also hoped the delegates would make wise choices in choosing the new leadership line-up.

“As a PAS leader at the central level, I am very positive that they will choose leaders based on their track record and not those who are only good at talking,” he told a press conference at the party’s headquarters.

He said the leadership’s priority now was to further strengthen the party with a new leadership line up to face the next general election.

Meanwhile, PAS Member of Parliament for Sepang, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, who was also present, said there were indeed differences in opinion among members on the new leadership line up but deemed the polls a “a friendly game”.

    

“Sometimes in a friendly, players also play rough... but nothing to be worried,” he said.

 

On another matter, Mohamed Hanipa, who is also PAS’ lawyer, said the party’s portal Harakahdaily was prepared to go to court if it is sued by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for alleged defamation.

Najib, who is represented by lawyer Mohd Hafarizam Harun, issued a notice of demand for an apology to Harakah managing director Dr Rosli Yaakop on Thursday in his personal capacity citing the portal’s article ‘Dana 1MDB biayai syarikat filem Riza Aziz?’ (1MBD Funded Riza Aziz'z Film Compnay) defamed him and his family.

- Bernama