Mohamad Sabu's position as PAS deputy president is said to be under threat following a statement by spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that he wants to see a religious scholar holding the post.

The remark is being seen by some quarters as a 'revelation' and a signal as to the direction that the party should take.

Sources in PAS said Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, is on shaky ground following Nik Aziz's statement last Saturday.

NONE“Nik Aziz's (left) signal in wanting an ulama is seen as a big wave and a ‘revelation’, for delegates to chose the candidate he desires,” said a source.

The influential cleric had also said that he would like to see incumbent president Abdul Hadi Awang continuing to lead the party.

Incumbent information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is said to be considering challenging Mat Sabu for the post.

In the 2011 party election, Mat Sabu won a three-cornered fight for the post with 420 votes, defeating Tuan Ibrahim (399 votes) and incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa (224 votes).

“This was the first loss by the ulama group,” said an insider, when contacted.

NONEThe source claimed that efforts to engineer Mat Sabu's defeat had begun even before the 13th general election in May.

At the same time, there was a move to back Mujahid Yusof Rawa (right) as a candidate. He holds a doctorate in political science and is the son of former party president Yusof Rawa.

“There will be efforts from Perak, Penang and Kedah to nominate Mujahid. If there is another three-way fight that includes Mujahid, then the ulama (faction) will win,” the source said.

“In a straight fight, Tuan Ibrahim is likely to win as there is a wave within the party to reject Mat Sabu.”

Sinar Harian today reported that Mat Sabu will defend his post and that he would leave it to delegates to make a choice. He declined to comment on Nik Aziz’s statement.