MUKTAMAR | PAS Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Abdul Aziz today lamented the 'dying' democracy in the party's Youth wing.

He was referring to the declining number of candidates competing for top positions in the wing.

"Only 14 people competed for positions in the central committee. If I'm not mistaken, this is the least number of candidates (we've ever seen).

"I'm worried that if candidates continue to pull out from the race, then there will no longer be democracy in the PAS Youth wing," Nik Abduh said in his speech at the 58th PAS Youth Muktamar in Alor Setar, Kedah, today.

The PAS Youth wing contest recently saw only the committee members posts being contested, while those in the top leadership won their posts uncontested.

This came after several candidates withdrew from the race, including those vying for the deputy and vice-chairman posts. 

Nik Abduh, who is the Pasir Mas MP, expressed his hope that such situations would not recur. He said a pressing issue was a tendency for those who had already been nominated by delegations across the country to withdraw themselves from the race.

“I hope the situation does not become a continuing practice. Those chosen to contest, please do not withdraw.

"Give a chance for the delegates to vote, as it is their right," he added. 

While stressing that withdrawing from contest is a candidate's right, Nik Abduh said those who do so must do it with dignity.