PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu will be defending his position for the second time during the party election next month.

In a press release today, Mohamad said he was seeking a new term to assist the party president and expand PAS' influence, particularly to non-Muslims, NGOs and students.

"We have agreed that after 60 years of PAS, support among Muslims (for our party) is still below 50 percent.

"“Hence, we have to double our efforts to increase support for PAS including increasing our influence on non-Muslims and the public," he said.

Mohamad said party members must accept that upholding the party's values and preaching it to all Malaysians is a major challenge.

However, he said the party will achieve its goals through patience and hard work.

Apart from Mohamad, three others are qualified to contest for PAS deputy presidency: the Kelantan deputy menteri besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, incumbent vice-presidents Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Husam Musa.

Mohamad is the first among the four to confirm his candidacy.