PAS deputy mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) and information chief Dr Haron Din will not contest for the deputy president post despite receiving the most number of nominations from party divisions.

Party president Abdul Hadi Awang said Haron ( photo, left ) had personally stated his wish not to participate in the election that will take place at the PAS annual convention scheduled this June when he visited the renowned faith healer at the National Heart Institute (IJN) this afternoon.

Haron collapsed last night and was rushed to IJN.

"His health condition does not permit him to carry out duties efficiently. Therefore with great reluctance, he had to reject the nominations this time around. He sends his thanks and gratitude to all the divisions that nominated him and all party members," said Abdul Hadi in a press statement this evening.

He said Haron also admitted that he had met the party's mursyidul am Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat two days ago and the latter had revealed that a majority of the 171 divisions nationwide had nominated him.

"In that meeting (with Nik Aziz) he (Haron) had expressed his willingness to accept the nominations. The agreement however depended on his health condition."

Malay daily Berita Harian today reported a statement by Nik Aziz who claimed that Haron had agreed to contest for the deputy president's post despite his deteriorating health.

The much respected leader claimed that Haron had conceded to his advice to set aside his health problem and accept the nominations.

The statement came as surprise as Haron's dislike for contests is well-known and he had often stated his preference for consultation among leaders rather than contests.

In the last party elections in 2003, Haron withdrew from contest - also for the deputy president's post- at the last minute making it an easy fight for Senator Hassan Shukri who defeated vice-president Mustafa Ali for the post.

Disappointing development

In the statement, Abdul Hadi also stated that Haron will be flying to the US on May 28 to treat his recurring heart problem which had worsened over the past three months. He had underwent three major heart operations in the past.

"On behalf of the party I wish him and his family all the best and that he has a safe flight to the US. We will be praying for his speedy recovery so that he could return home and continue the struggle we all share."

The latest development will certainly disappoint party members of the divisions that had nominated Haron to challenge incumbent Hassan who has repeatedly told the media that he will defend the post that he won two years ago.

Although Haron - often described as the best man for the job - had indicated his disinterest for the post due to the health factor, many members and leaders alike had high hopes that he would contest for the post.

A PAS politician revealed that Haron had collapsed at his house last night and was immediately sent to the IJN.

"I was informed that he had collapsed twice since then. His condition is very serious ... he vomited as he was talking to Abdul Hadi who visited him with secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa and central committee member Dr Abdul Wahab Ismail this afternoon," he said.

He said the specialists treating Haron have yet to find the cause behind his fainting bouts and the developments have his family anxious.

Friday deadline

Meanwhile, a party worker from Kelantan said the latest development is likely to see former Kelantan deputy mentri besar Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman - who is among the eight candidates nominated for the No 2 post - accepting nominations for the deputy president's post.

"He had stated earlier that he is only willing to reject the nominations to make way for Haron. Now that Haron is out of the picture, he will be offering himself for the post."

He also predicted that the much-awaited contest would be a straight fight between Hassan and Abdul Halim as the other six are likely to decline a contest.

Party election chairperson Yahya Othman said that the final contenders for all posts would be officially announced at a press conference to be held in Kota Bharu on Saturday.

As to the deputy president's post, he said that none of the eight names nominated had sent any letter accepting or declining nominations.

"None have given their decision in black and white. They have until Friday to do so. Until then, any statement is deemed pure speculation."