A straw poll among PAS delegates at the party's muktamar today revealed they are overwhelmingly against chai , or a list of preferred candidates, issued before the party's leadership election.

Most delegates said this was the first time this practice was being used during the party leadership elections and described it as a form of undue influence.

"I have taken part in party elections three times before and this is the first time I'm seeing tickets being listed.

"This should not happen. We are a democratic party. We are free to choose anyone," Segamat PAS delegate Mohd Hasbi Nordin ( photo ) said.

The term chai originates from the Chinese term cai tan (restaurant menu) and lists out candidates who are on the same ticket or have the same allegiances.

This practice first gained prominence in the MCA internal elections but is increasingly seen in Umno, DAP and PKR elections.

In the case of PAS, several websites and Facebook pages have published a chai which splits those contesting into two camps - one loyal to incumbent president Abdul Hadi Awang and the other list naming those who allegedly back his challenger Ahmad Awang.

Based on results of the PAS Youth and Muslimat (Women's Wing)  elections last night, those on Hadi's chai won handsomely.

The party's election for its main body is currently ongoing.

Think before voting

Kuala Selangor delegate Mohd Fakaruddin Ismail said it was wrong to bring the chai culture into PAS, because candidates should be chosen based on their ability, not allegiance.

"I hope my fellow delegates will show wisdom and think of PAS' future in Pakatan Rakyat.

"We are supposed to choose leaders with ability - ones that can be a lawmaker or a community leader," Fakaruddin ( photo ) said while waiting for his turn to vote.

He added that he was aware that the list was being distributed but said he refused to even look at it.

Bagan Serai delegate Ramli Tusin hoped that this practice would never take place again in future PAS elections.

"This is the first time this has happened, and I hope it will be the last. We must change," Ramli said.