KUALA TERENGGANU: The responsibilities of PAS’s top leadership posts are so demanding that not everyone can be considered for candidacy, says party vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar
He said his current role is already challenging, let alone the position of the party's top leader.
"I am not qualified for the two highest positions; it is beyond my reach to hold those roles," he said.
"The role I have now as vice president is already very challenging for me. The higher positions are even more demanding. I have never considered them, and they are beyond my comprehension," added Ahmad Samsuri
Ahmad Samsuri said this when asked about the possibility of being nominated for the top position in the party's election this September.
He spoke after the launch of the Terengganu Strategic Agricultural Plan 2024-2030 at Wisma Darul Iman on Wednesday (Feb 19).
Also present were Yang di-Pertuan Muda Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, State Executive Councillor for Agriculture Dr Azman Ibrahim, and State Director of Fisheries Ruzaidi Mamat.
Ahmad Samsuri said he has not decided whether to defend his position as PAS vice president, which he has held since 2019.
"If nominated, I will consider it first. It is not certain yet, who knows if there aren't enough nominations because there are requirements to contest," he said.
"If the requirements are met, then you can contest, but it requires the individual's consent," he added.
"For vice president, if I feel like I need to make way for newer, fresher faces, why not step back, there's no problem. In PAS, the democratic environment is very harmonious," he said.
According to Ahmad Samsuri, the PAS constitution does not restrict any individual with enough nominations from contesting, but it is up to the individual to agree or not.
"It is a practice in PAS that some individuals meet the conditions and nominations but do not want to contest," he said.
"For example, in the 2021 PAS central committee election, 50 individuals were nominated, but only 24 contested, which proves the party's democratic vitality," he said.
He added that candidates intending to offer themselves for the vice-presidential position must receive at least 10 nominations.
"Even if they have enough nominations, it is up to the individual to decide whether they want to contest," he said.
Last Thursday, PAS Central Election Director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said PAS does not prevent any party leader from contesting the positions of President and Deputy President in the upcoming election.
