KUALA LUMPUR: PAS looks set to retain Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang as the party president for the next term as a possible contender has been disqualified based on technicalities.
PAS election committee chairman Asmuni Awi said the challenger did not meet minimum requirements in submitting his application.
"Each candidate needs to have at least one proposer and one seconder for nomination. But this person only has one," he told a press conference at PAS headquarters here.
He however did not reveal the name of the disqualified candidate as it was "private and confidential".
"We are only announcing the names of qualified candidates. But we can tell you that he comes from the same state as Hadi and he nominated himself," he said.
Hadi, who hails from Terengganu, has been a president since 2003 after taking over from the late president Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor.
Five candidates are qualified to contest for the deputy president post including incumbent Mohamad Sabu, who has voiced his intention to defend his seat.
The rest are vice-presidents Datuk Husam Musa and Salahuddin Ayub, Pahang commissioner Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
Although Husam and Salahuddin have made it clear that they would not go for the no 2 post, there have been speculations that Tuan Ibrahim and Mohd Amar may take up the challenge.
As for vice-presidency, the party has accepted nominations for 10 candidates. They are the incumbents Datuk Mahfuz Omar, Salahuddin and Husam.
The other seven are incumbent deputy president Mohd Sabu, central committee member Datuk Abu Bakar Chik, information chief Idris Ahmad, Parit Buntar member of parliament Dr Mujahid Haji Yusof Rawa, incumbent Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan, Salahuddin and Tuan Ibrahim.
PAS Youth has also accepted six nominations for the top post. They are incumbent Nasrudin, Dr Riduan Mohd Nor, Suhaizan Kaiat, Zulhazmi Sharif, Kamarulzaman Muhammad and Dr Raja Ahmad Iskandar Al Hiss.
Talks on the ground that Nasrudin may not defend his post as his age has surpassed the age limit of 40 years old.
The party has also announced six qualified candidates for the deputy chief, including the incumbent Nik Mohd Abduh Nik Aziz, who is also Pasir Mas parliamentarian.
The rest are Mohd Firdaus Jaafar, Mohd Khalil Abdul hadi, Dr Raja Ahmad, Kamarulzaman and Suhaizan.
For the Women wing (which is also known as Dewan Muslimat), four qualified candidates to contest for the top post.
They are incumbent Women chief Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof, who is also Rantau Panjang MP, incumbent deputy chief Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, Dr Halimah Ali and Nuridah Salleh.
As for the no 2 post, there are seven qualified candidates - Mumtaz Mohd Nawi, Nuridah, Siti Mariah, Siti Zailah, Datuk Siti Ashah Ghazali, Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad and Dr Halimah.
Asmuni said the qualified candidates who intend to contest in the party election need confirm their candidacy to the party by 5pm on Nov 8.
"Anybody who sends their confirmation after that will be rejected outrightly," he said.
The central committee party election will be held during the 59th Pas Muktamar in Shah Alam, Selangor on Nov 22 until 24, while the party wings election will be held on Nov 20 until Nov 21.
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