The recent news reports on Dr Haron Din's deteriorating health has failed to deter PAS divisions from nominating him to run for the deputy president post in next month's party polls.

Since the reports, Haron, who already holds two important posts in the party - deputy mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) and information chief - has received four more nominations bringing it the total to 25.

He is far ahead of incumbent Senator Hassan Shukri who only received nine nominations from the 49 divisions (of the total 170) that had chosen to openly announce its members' nominations following their respective annual general assemblies as reported in the party organ's online version, Harakahdaily.

(Party officials revealed that there were 50 more divisions that had held their annual meetings but chose to keep the nominations confidential. Other divisions that have not held their annual assemblies have until May 15 to do so to elect the new office bearers of the respective divisions and subsequently make their nominations.)

Health will decide

Speaking to malaysiakini, Haron said while he valued the trust and confidence that members have in him, whatever decisions on his political future would depend on his health.

The 65-year-old politician, who has already underwent three heart bypass surgeries, refused to affirm whether his admission of poor health was an indirect advise to PAS divisions to stop nominating him.

"It is up to them how they want to interpret the reports. They (the divisions) are free to do what they want...nobody can dictate what they can or cannot do. I am merely stating the truth: I am unfit," he said when contacted.

Asked if he is now officially declining to hold the post even if he was to win it without contest, the renowned faith healer whose dislike for contest is well-known, said he is unable to answer the question, adding that his health would be the final deciding factor.

"Only my health can answer that question. As of now, I am advised not to carry heavy responsibilities. My condition is very serious now...that I have to wear a machine to monitor my heart around the clock," he said.

A PAS leader, who declined to be named, pointed out that the members' determination to put Haron in the No 2 post showed how desperate members are for change.

"Like it or not the current line-up has to bear the brunt for the party's loss in the general election last year. We cannot run away from that. Members believe that if the line-up is changed, there would be room for improvement."

Grassroots' views

PAS Negri Sembilan state commissioner Dr Rosly Yaakob said the continued nomination of Haron should not surprise those who are in touch with the grassroots views.

"Based on my interaction with the grassroots of the party, there are a lot of people who really want him to spearhead the party. I think he has many positive attributes that no one can deny. As to his health, well in PAS we work until we can no more.

"To ordinary PAS members, health is not an acceptable excuse. When you are sick, you seek medical attention and when you are not, you work for the party. So that is one of the reasons why I am not surprise that his ill-health is not affecting his nominations," he added.

But if Haron - who has warned that he might not even be fit to attend the muktamar (general assembly) - is not in the picture, the party would be forced to find another candidate that can compliment president Abdul Hadi Awang's charismatic leadership.

It is widely speculated that among the six candidates nominated, the best person for the No 2 post is former Kelantan deputy mentri besar Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman, who is now the Kubang Kerian MP.

A party worker said the Kelantan politician stands a good chance compared to Hassan (photo) whose unpopularity is closely linked to the alleged mismanagement of the party linked cooperative Kohilal.

"I would think that those who had nominated Haron would chose Abdul Rahman (who is also an ulama or religious scholar) over Hassan. Hassan is that unpopular!"

"He will have full support from Kelantan as the state's mentri besar and party mursyidul am (spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had given his blessing to be nominated for the post".

If Hassan is able to read the underlying message that members are directing at him and decides not to defend his post, he believes that Hassan would throw his support behind current vice-president and close friend, Azizan Abdul Razak.

"But then Azizan is equally unpopular for his backward and undemocratic attitudes. So I believe a Halim- Azizan contest would be favourable to the Kelantanese," said the party worker on condition of anonymity.

However, some had questioned Abdul Halim's credibility especially after he was sidelined from the Kelantan state line-up in the last general election.

"There must be a reason why Nik Aziz did not favour him. If he is not good enough for the state what makes him good for the party at the federal level?" questioned a division leader from Selangor.

Future leaders

Rosly stated that the outcome for the three vice-president posts would garner most attention from members as they represent the future leaders of the party.

"The vice presidents are the future leaders. Members would want someone credible in those positions because they represent the party's future direction which is our main concern right now."

The division leader concurred that this is the reason why Kelantan's blue-eyed boy Husam Musa - who had made remarkable progress in the state's economic administration - is one of the leading contenders.

Based on the reports in Harakahdaily, incumbent Dr Hassan Ali is leading the pack with 25 nominations while another incumbent Mustafa Ali and Husam have 23 nominations each (See table).

Another incumbent, Azizan only managed to muster eight nominations from the 46 divisions.

The first woman to be nominated for vice-president Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud has received four nominations.

"I think from the pattern of the nominations, we can safely say that two seats are safe in Hassan and Mustafa's hands. However Azizan is likely to face a tough fight with Husam and Siti Mariah," said a party observer.

What is obvious is that the nominations are an extension of the call for changes initiated by delegates in the last muktamar and whoever wins this time around will have the tough responsibility of bringing back the glory of the 1999 elections.