KUALA LUMPUR, Nov — The PAS deputy presidency contest on November 22 will see fundamentalists trying to maintain power while the liberals will make a go at changing the direction of the party.
Incumbent Mohamed Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, is expected to crumble under the onslaught of fellow liberal Datuk Husam Musa, and two key fundamentalists — party information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
The outcome will dictate the direction the party will take – liberalism with the original party struggle of upholding the Islamic cause or fundamentalism with the relationship with Pakatan Rakyat partners DAP and Parti keadilan Rakyat (PKR) reviewed.
PKR de facto chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would rather see liberals win the deputy presidency so he can control the path of the Islamist party.
The 2,000-odd delegates will have to choose from Mat Sabu, Husam, Tuan Ibrahim and Mohd Amar.
Husam is trying hard to win the post as his political life in Kelantan was as good as over when he was not picked as a state executive council member in the state.
A few months later, Husam questioned the performance of state-related companies which created a row between him and the fundamentalists.
A loss for Husam will put him in political oblivion.
It is understood that this time around, party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who has been returned unopposed, will not appoint Husam to the central committee given the sour ties between him (Husam) and other party leaders (who are fundamentalists).
Tuan Ibrahim and Mohd Amar had been at loggerheads with liberals, particularly Husam, on issues concerning party ideology which the fundamentalists.
Given the situation, the deputy president’s post is expected to be the focus and keenly contested.
