KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa has opted to contest only the vice-presidency despite receiving nominations to contest the presidency, leaving the contest for the top post a straight fight between incumbent Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Ahmad Awang.

Husam said he believes that PAS’s core leadership should be the ulama, even as the Islamist party will see contests between the clerics and the professional factions in its election next month.

“With many apologies to the divisions and members who placed such high hopes in me, I only wish to accept the nomination of PAS vice-president that I currently hold,” Husam said in a statement today.

“The Putrajaya roadmap to win federal government and our approach of ‘PAS for all’ to win the hearts of non-Muslims have been decided by the members at large stage by stage and it was not borne of any particular individual’s decision.

"If that goal is not considered Shariah-compliant, the members at large need to make a new decision and no one can act against our previous decision,” he added.

Husam was nominated and found eligible to contest the presidency, deputy presidency and the vice-presidency.

Former PAS vice-president Ahmad, who is running against Hadi, said last Thursday that he will make unity within the party and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition a priority ahead of the next national polls.