The current PAS leadership should be changed if their performance is not up to mark and if the people reject them, said party vice-president Dr Hasan Ali.

"Doesn't matter if it is a spiritual, professional or youth leader because the party needs to shed its weak image if it wants to be accepted by everybody.

"PAS and its leaders need to change when facing the future because the people want to see our abilities before they can support us," he said.

Hasan, who is also PAS Selangor commissioner, said people want leaders who would bring forth new and bigger agenda to take over the government.

"Professionals at the top leadership of PAS has become a culture and it should not be stopped if members want them on top," he added when contacted.

Hasan said this in reference to the coming PAS mukmatar (annual meet) in Kota Baru, Kelantan, on June 1, which will see delegates voting for the leaders of their choice.

Challenge for top posts

Except the president's post, several other top posts, including the three vice-presidents posts, are expected to be contested.

However, Hasan said the current leadership should be maintained if they were up to acceptable standards.

"Change should not be feared because PAS is democratic and its leaders can come and go according to the wishes of the people.

"So nobody should be worried about having more professionals at the top of the party," he added.

Since the tumultuous episode that followed the sacking of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim in September 1998, many professionals have risen to the top of the Islamic-based opposition party.

Besides Hasan and another vice-president Husam Musa, deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, PAS secretary general Kamaruddin Jaafar and PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub are also professionals.

The party's president and spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat are from the traditional religious background.

"Nobody can prevent professionals from contesting in the party polls because the national education system generates more professionals while religious schools are becoming extinct," said Hasan.