PAS expects to field high-flyer Husam Musa, the incumbent Kubang Kerian MP, in a state seat in the general election, a move seen as grooming him to take over as the next Kelantan Menteri Besar.

Husam himself remains keen on contesting in a parliamentary seat, leading to insiders speculating that the party may consider allowing him to do this and take on a state seat as well.

According to several reliable sources, PAS top leaders president Abdul Hadi Awang and spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat have conveyed the decision on the state seat to Husam.

This followed a four-hour meeting of the central working committee yesterday in Kuala Lumpur.

Sources told malaysiakini that Husam, 45, will stand in one of the three state seats under the Kubang Kerian constituency - most likely Demit (formerly Kenali), about six kilometres from Kota Baru.

The seat, created during last year's redelineation exercise, comprises 18,039 voters, of whom 97 percent are Malays.

Nik Aziz, 73 and the incumbent MB, will defend his Chempaka state seat. If he wins, he is expected to retire during the new term and make way for Husam, who was once his aide.

Husam served as press secretary to Nik Aziz from 1990-1993 and as political secretary from 1993-1999.

In his maiden electoral outing in 1999, Husam chalked up an emphatic victory, beating Barisan Nasional's Zaleha Hussin by a majority vote of 16,091. A total of 34,677 votes were cast.

Last minute change?

When contacted, Husam insisted that the decision has not been finalised and refused to comment on whether he would give up his parliamentary seat.

"I am not prepared to contest in a state seat, I wish to re-contest in Kubang Kerian," he said.

Sources close to him said they hoped for a last-minute compromise, to let the politician to contest in both a parliamentary and a state seat. They said efforts will be made to convince the party leaders.

"People in Kelantan want him to focus more on state matters, but those outside hope he will continue to be a representative in Parliament," one source said.

Husam is known for his oratory, with his speeches backed with dispassionate facts and figures that cut to the chase in his criticism of BN policies in Parliament.

Noted for his numerous exposes of scandals and issues throughout last year, he was named malaysiakini's 2003 'Newsmaker of the Year'.

Last year, he said that he did not harbour any ambition to be the menteri besar, explaining that the post should go to a party ulama (Islamic scholar). Husam himself is an economics graduate.

Future of PAS MPs

Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi cautioned that not all the party's incumbent MPs will be nominated to defend their seats.

"There will be changes... some of them are old and would like to retire, some of them will be placed at the state level," he said at a press conference after chairing yesterday's meeting.

He said the meeting had endorsed the full list of candidates together with their respective seats. Details will be announced on Thursday in the respective states.

The launch of the BA common manifesto 'Together with a new Malaysia' is also scheduled for the same day, he said.

Asked if the party's intention to establish an Islamic state is included in the common manifesto, he replied: "We will stick to the basic principle that is acceptable by all."

On the number of seats to be contested by the opposition alliance, he said Barisan Alternatif will ensure that the BN does not win uncontested in any seat, including those in Sabah and Sarawak.

Abdul Hadi declined to disclose the adjustments that PAS is making to its candidates list or to say how many party leaders will be dropped. He also declined to reveal the number of new faces, but said many professionals will contest.

Central committee members Kamaruddin Jaafar has confirmed he will defend the Tumpat parliamentary seat, while Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli will re-contest in Gombak where he was defeated in the last election.

Another central committee member Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali is expected to be fielded in Bukit Gantang, also a parliamentary seat.

Several high-profile MPs are expected to defend their seats including Abdul Hadi (Marang), Dr Hassan Ali (Parit Buntar), Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi (Kuala Terengganu) and Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena).

Secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa, the incumbent MP for Yan (now Jerai), is tightlipped over where he will contest this time, but may no longer be fielded in Kedah as his former seat is considered to a a high-risk one following redelineation.