The line-up of the new PAS Central Working Committee (CWC) shows the party's appreciation for young professionals and their contribution, said its president Fadzil Noor today.

Fadzil, who spoke to reporters after results of the CWC elections were announced, said he was satisfied with the outcome as it reflected a balance between the young and old, ulamas and professionals.

"I am not denying the possibility that in future, the professionals will take on the party's leadership," he said at the PAS 47th Annual General Assembly which ends tonight.

This year's elections saw a new face, among the 28 CWC members, Dr Hassan Mohd Ali (member of Parliament for Parit Buntar).

Fadzil and Terengganu Mentri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang retained their respective posts of president and deputy president uncontested.

The election results were announced today at 4.30pm at the PAS operations centre in Taman Melewar, Kuala Lumpur.

Fadzil said he is planning to increase the number of women in the CWC, adding, "I have the authority to appoint six more.

"However, the appointment will have to be approved by the CWC. I can't make decisions alone, unlike the Umno president," he quipped.

Woman candidate

Asked why only one woman was elected into the CWC this year, Fadzil explained that one woman already reflected a 30 percent support for women candidates as 99 percent of delegates who voted this year were men.

Senator Dr Lo' Lo' Hj Mohd Ghazali who received 559 votes, was the only woman elected to the CWC this year, compared with three last year.

Fadzil pointed out that the membership in the PAS CWC is unlike that of the Umno supreme council where women members were appointed by the Umno president.

There are two women members in the Umno supreme council, Rafidah Aziz, International Trade and Industry Minister, and Puteri Umno president Azalina Othman Said.

Asked about non-Muslim associate members, Fadzil said it is sufficient now for them to be members of the other parties in the Barisan Alternatif coalition which comprise Keadilan, PRM and DAP.

"We do not want to treat non-Muslims as second-class citizens in our party. In BA, all members are equal," he said.

"We also do not want to be open to criticism and slander by certain quarters at this point in time," he added.

New vice-president Dr Hassan Ali said the new CWC was a "winning team" and that he was awaiting orders from his 'general', the president.

"We have lots of work to do and that is to see to the well-being and justice of the people regardless of their racial background," he said.

"We have so much support now, there is no reason why we cannot lead this country one day," he added.