There is a major problem in PAS. The Islamic-based opposition party appears unable to find a suitable leader to compliment its current president Abdul Hadi Awang.

In a recent interview with malaysiakini , outspoken Youth executive councillor Mujahid Yusuf Rawa tells how the sudden demise of past president Fadzil Noor in 2002 had affected the party.

"Yes... we were badly hit with the will of Allah when Fadzil Noor passed away. It was a shock to the party when he left while he was in the midst of navigating us forward. He had made tremendous achievement I would say, a very big leap then.

"...it was a natural course for Abdul Hadi to take over. When that happened, there was an empty space. And when you look down, there was no one who seemed to be suitable to fill the empty space there, by PAS' standards that is. They want an ulama (religious scholar) acceptable by all."

Mujahid said the problem worsened with the unpreparedness of senior leaders to accept younger leaders, whom they felt were inappropriate for such a high post.

Lobby for Haron Din

According to him, this is what spurred the lobby for renowned faith healer Dr Haron Din to contest for the deputy president post against Hasan Shukri at the coming muktamar or general assembly next month.

Haron ( right ) is currently the party's deputy mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) and information chief.

"That is why I think a lot of members want Haron Din because he is seen to be the most suitable," said Mujahid, who is the son of the late PAS president Yusuf Rawa.

"I think Hadi needs a very strong deputy that can support him to form a new image for PAS. Who makes it as his deputy is not important. What is important, is if that person is able to bring the changes the party wants. Can he support Hadi in making the changes that is needed?

Mujahid also pointed out that the debate on the party leader also concerned the lack of a concrete successive plan.

"One of the things highlighted by the Youth as one of the party's major problems is the lack of a strong successive plan...about who takes over, the necessary steps that need to be taken, the characteristics and eligibility of the leaders. That has not been not spread out. We cannot afford that because taking over is bound to happen, sooner or later."

The Youth leader also believes that the agenda for change sought by delegates in the last muktamar had not been taken seriously by the party leaders.

"So that is why the new leadership is very important. The new line up is very important," he stressed, agreeing that only new blood would be able to ensure that the needed changes are taken.

Uncompromising senior leaders

Mujahid also spoke of the difficulties faced by Youth leaders in setting the agenda for change, one of which is the opposition from senior leaders who seemed to feel threatened and undermined by younger leaders and new ideas.

"To me the best thing to manage the seniors is to convince them that we - the Youth leaders - represent the future of the party because we are going to inherit it later. And we want a better party to inherit," he said.

However, he admitted that the process of reassuring is not an easy task as senior leaders tend to judge the ability of Youth leaders from their achievements.

"The old guards usually demand (to know) of our achievements rather than (listening to) what we want. It's difficult because of course we cant achieve so much as we are new. They cannot expect us to have what they have achieved because they have been there for 30 years or more whereas some of us (youths) are here for like only 10 years."

"So it's not fair that their (basis of) arguments are on the ground of achievement. They should look at a leader's vision for the party, what's he is going to bring, how is he going to operate it in the near future...these should be the basis...rather than asking what have you achieved."

Rising star

Mujahid played down the perception that he is one of the "rising stars" in PAS Youth and laughed when told that he was the leading contender to sit in party's central working committee according to a poll by the party organ's online version, Harakahdaily .

As at 2pm (yesterday), the poll results showed that Mujahid topped the list with 37.22 percent, well ahead of PAS legal adviser Mohamed Hanipa Mydin, Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad, Misbahul Munir, Khaled Samad, Mazlan Aliman and Ahmad Yaakob.

"I don't know if that poll is reliable or not because the ones who will determine those who win are the delegates coming from all the divisions, most of whom have no access to the Internet," said Mujahid.

He said the new line-up to be elected in the coming muktamar will represent the delegates' seriousness for change.

"Although I would believe that in general the mood for change is very, very much felt by the members. But if they are not, that would be translated in the ballot box at the party election."

"If party delegates believe that I am one of those who can inject new blood in the central working committee, I would of course be pleased to contribute to the party," he added.