Rumours of Hadi’s exit fuel Amar’s nomination for PAS No 2

FMT:

Rumours of Hadi’s exit fuel Amar’s nomination for PAS No 2


Yesterday
Nora Mahpar


Analysts say the move may reflect a leadership reshuffle as Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is expected to step up if Abdul Hadi Awang does not defend his presidency

The number of nominations Amar Abdullah receives will depend on whether Abdul Hadi Awang stays on as PAS president or takes a break, says an analyst. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Amar Abdullah’s nomination for PAS deputy president may be part of a broader change being contemplated for the party’s leadership, say analysts.

Political analysts Mazlan Ali and Azmi Hassan said Amar’s elevation was being strategically considered, should Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man step up to lead PAS in the event that Abdul Hadi Awang does not defend his presidency at the party polls in September.

“The nomination for deputy president stems from speculation that Hadi will make way,” Azmi, of Akademi Nusantara, told FMT.


Hadi, 77, has led PAS since June 2002, and there has been growing speculation over his succession amid concerns about his health.



Amar’s nomination was recently proposed by Pengkalan Chepa PAS Youth information chief Sazwan Sakri, and received unanimous support from the wing’s delegates.


However, Amar said he would decide whether to accept the nomination once he receives formal notification from the party’s central election committee, which will verify whether each candidate has garnered enough nominations from the grassroots divisions.

Mazlan said the deputy president race could see a multi-cornered fight, potentially involving fellow vice-presidents Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Idris Ahmad, as well as PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

“Traditionally in PAS, the deputy presidency goes to someone with a professional background,” the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia associate professor said.

The post was last contested in 2015, when Tuan Ibrahim unseated then-incumbent Mohamad Sabu, who later left PAS to form Amanah.


Mohamad had held the position since 2011, taking over from academic-turned-politician Nasharudin Mat Isa.


Azmi said Amar’s chances hinged on whether Hadi stayed or stepped down.

“If the status quo remains with Hadi as president and Tuan Ibrahim as deputy, it will be difficult for Amar to gain enough nominations.

“The grassroots are wary of internal splits, which happened in PAS and PKR in 2015,” he said.