It will be a crowded and ulama-dominated contest for the three vice-president (VP) posts in PAS.
The PAS flirtation with the Erdogans, the term for the progressive clique associated with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, appears to be over and the ulama are about to make their presence felt in the party hierarchy.
Of the 10 names nominated for the VP posts, half are ulama figures while the rest comprise professionals and grassroots men.
Idris Ahmad, a tall, dark and humourless ulama from Perak who is making his maiden bid for the post, has emerged as an early frontrunner.
Idris, a former Youth chief and currently the national information chief, enjoys the backing of the powerful Terengganu faction.
But more than that, he is regarded as a model leader who has made personal sacrifices for the party and has moved up step-by-step without trying to topple anyone.
The practice of challenging an incumbent is still seen as less than politically correct behaviour in the party although that is fast changing.
Moreover, Idris had quit his comfortable lecturer job more than 10 years ago when asked by the party to contest in a by-election.
He is also a team player. He was supposed to contest the Bukit Gantang by-election two years ago, but sportingly made way for ousted Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin.
The irony is that Nizar is also a contender for the VP post and delegates will have to decide whether there is room for two VPs from Perak.
But the sentiment seems to be that it is Idris’ turn to move up. However, the candidate most assured of winning is another ulama, Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, the incumbent VP and the party’s Pahang chief.
However, Tuan Ibrahim was also nominated for the deputy president’s post and is under great pressure to go for it.
Tuan Ibrahim is truly in a special situation.
He has a choice of two plum posts and a 100% chance of winning either one.
The Chinese would have put it down to beautiful feng shui and any other man would be in seventh heaven. But not Tuan Ibrahim though; he is said to be in a dilemma and is praying for divine guidance.
The other ulama candidates are waiting to see where Tuan Ibrahim is going.
They are big names Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak, Kelantan exco member Datuk Nik Amar Nik Abdullah and Dewan Ulama secretary Nik Zawawi Nik Salleh.
They may not join the fray if Tuan Ibrahim decides to stay put because they know that delegates are unlikely to vote in an all-ulama line-up.
But there is definitely room for two ulama among the VP trio and if Tuan Ibrahim moves on, Nik Amar stands a good chance.
Although Nik Amar is not a high-profile figure, he is known as his own man who is not afraid to speak his mind. He is not aligned to any faction and has often said that his heart will follow what is good for the party.
Kelantan candidates were wiped out in the 2009 party polls which saw the Kelantan and Terengganu leaderships at loggerheads.
But it is an important state for the party and delegates would want to see a Kelantan face in the hierarchy this year.
The VP contest has always been about a balancing act between the ulama and the professional/grassroots leaders.
Apart from Nizar, the professional/ grassroots candidates this year include incumbents Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub, Felda activist Mazlan Aliman and Dr Hatta Ramli.
All of them have their own merit but there is some debate in the party that a VP should also be of a certain level of intellect who can speak on social and economic issues.
This is particularly important as PAS sees itself assuming the leading role in Pakatan Rakyat in the months ahead.
Dr Hatta Ramli, a medical doctor, would fit the bill except that he is rather too associated with the politics of Anwar Ibrahim and many people in the party are not comfortable with that.
On the other hand, there is also discussion about the need for a VP who is a “fighting cock” in anticipation of the approaching general election.
Mahfuz falls in this category because he has an activist track record and despite his limited education, the Pokok Sena MP has done quite well in Parliament compared to other more educated colleagues.
His rival for the non-ulama slot is Salahuddin, a second term MP for Kubang Krian whose diplomatic style has won him friends.
However, Mazlan could be the dark horse in this category.
The rising star in Johor is the party’s poster boy in their bid to make inroads into the Felda vote base.
Having Mazlan as a VP may provide that extra push.
Moreover, party president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang has often praised Anak, the Felda-based programme run by Mazlan.
But contests in PAS can be very unpredictable because campaigning is frowned upon and they don’t play the money politics game.
As such delegates cannot be unduly influenced and they follow their heart and mind rather than their wallet.
It will be an exciting race because new faces are about to emerge among the vice-presidents.-TheStarOnline/JocelineTan
