PAS' progressive faction does not seem to be interested in the winning ulama team's olive branch - to appoint them to the central committee.

 

While none of the progressives met at Parliament today had received an appointment offer as yet, at least two of them - Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Hanipa Maidin - said they would reject such an offer.

"If offered, I will not accept. I want to give a chance to the new leadership because all of us who were defeated are considered to be obstacles to the PAS president," Hanipa told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

 

Former Muslimat deputy chief Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud ( photo ) also indicated that she would reject such an offer.

 

"I won't be offered (a central committee post) I'm confident of that. But if I am offered, I think I would like to focus on my constituency. I've been a central committee member for 15 years and that's enough," Siti Mariah said.

 

Dr Hatta Ramli ( photo ) said he would only cross the bridge when he came to it.

 

"But if they want me to be the president, surely I will not reject," he quipped with a huge grin.

 

However, defeated vice-president and outgoing PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar refused to comment on the matter.

 

The progressive PAS leaders were weeded out in this year's muktamar, which concluded last weekend and the ulama members win almost all the party's top leadership posts.