PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali is not the 'least bit threatened' by the grassroots' move to nominate younger leaders for the party's three vice-president posts in the coming party polls.

The Terengganu strongman said he welcomed the move to push younger leaders to be at the forefront of the PAS leadership and would even step down if convinced that he would be replaced by better leaders.

"I haven't really followed the talks and gossips on party elections due to my heavy work load but I am aware of the move to have younger leaders replace us old ones.

"But seriously, I have no qualms in taking a back seat and make way for younger, better leaders. I welcome the call for changes especially when it benefits the party....this is how it should be for the party to move forward," he told malaysiakini

Party insiders said current vice presidents have lost their vigour and members are keen to see changes which they believe would help the party fare better in the next general election.

The move also shows that the mood for change ignited by delegates during last year's muktamar (annual assembly) following the party's dismal performance in the 2004' general election has not sobered.

It also goes to prove that the deputy president's seat would not be the only intriguing event at the coming muktamar in Kota Baru on June 1-5 .

'We need to see action'

A youth leader from Selangor said many members feel that the current vice-presidents have failed to propel the party forward following the last general election.

"We lost and we know why we lost. We told them a year ago that we need to see action, to see improvements...but apart from Dr Hassan Ali, we have not seen the other two (Mustafa and Kedah commissioner Azizan Abdul Razak) do anything. We can't wait anymore. It's time to move on and choose leaders who can create results," he added.

Among the names mentioned for the posts includes secretary general Nasharuddin Mat Isa, Penang commissioner Mohamad Sabu and hot favourite, Kelantan's Husam Musa, who has already been nominated by PAS members in Kelana Jaya, Kapar and Kuala Selangor.

"Husam has made quite an impact is the last few years. He has proven to be a good parliamentarian as the Kubang Kerian MP. He also proved his worth as one of the key leaders in Kelantan. We need leaders like him who is not only eloquent but we see that his actions produce results," said a party worker from Kuala Lumpur.

"The fact that he is in (Kelantan menteri besar and PAS mursyidul am) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat)'s good books shows that he is doing a lot of right both in the party and the state," he added.

A politician from Kelana Jaya said the party's need to have a Kelantan government official to be at the forefront so that it could effectively build up the image of the state government which is the litmus test on PAS' governing potential.

"PAS needs to show that it is capable of being a good government. At the same time, we need to boost our image to defend Kelantan for our political survival. Without Nik Aziz, PAS Kelantan has no one else to offer to the people there. To date he (Husam) is the most popular figure other than Nik Aziz," he added.

Another interesting development is the bid to nominate a female leader for the vice-presidency.

A party worker said several divisions are seriously considering the move to improve the party's appeal among women voters who shunned PAS in the last general elections.

"A research recently conducted by an academician from John Hopkins University showed that Barisan Nasional appeals to women voters. If we have a credible female leader holding the top five positions in the party, this would show that we are open towards women leadership," he said.

He suggested that divisions holding their annual general meetings should consider current central working committee Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud as a possible vice-president

"She is well-liked by all central committee members. She is open, clear and dedicated. She has proved that she can handle tough jobs... she is a deputy for PAS' election committee and a key player for the Pendang and Anak Bukit by-elections... she's suitable for the job," said the party worker.

Capability is the issue

Siti Mariah laughed in surprise when asked about the recent development stating that it was news to her.

"I don't know anything about it. I don't think I would be ready for such a post. It carries such a heavy responsibility," she said when contacted.

Dismissing that the idea would upset the ulama (religious scholars) circle within PAS, she said the key consideration among members when it comes to choosing a leader is not gender but capability.

"The idea is feasible if there is a suitable candidate. There is nothing wrong with a woman holding the position... after all the party's constitution never specifies that the post are exclusive for men... but the key consideration would be if the person is capable to do the job? If the person happens to be a woman then well, she's fit to run for the contest. Whether she wins or not, that's up to the delegates." she said.

Concurring with Siti Mariah was PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub who believed that leaders and members are open-minded enough to accept a woman at such a leadership level.

"It would be nothing new to us. In Kelantan, we have women state councillors, we have women candidates in the election and we have women senators. A woman vice-president would be another addition to the long list," he said.