PAS Dewan Muslimat (women's wing) today gives its full support to Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud - the first female leader in the Islamic party to be nominated to contest the vice-president post.

Women chief Kalthom Othman urged representatives from all states to back Siti Mariah, who is a central working committee member in the party since 2003 and the Muslimat information chief.

"We see it is as timely for us to accept the fact that woman members are as competent as their male counterparts," she said at a press conference today in Shah Alam.

Kalthom dismissed the conservatives within the party who had criticised the nomination of Siti Mariah. She described their action as "very irresponsible".

"Every time when something new is introduced, there will be criticism. But I think the criticism (of Siti Mariah) is not that strong," she said.

PAS mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has openly supported Siti Mariah in vying for one of the three vice-presidents - widely considered as the pool where future party leaders will be selected.

The PAS leader was quoted in press reports as saying that the Muslimat should play a bigger role in the party's leadership and proposed that Siti Mariah be nominated for the post.

With the backing from the party top leader, Siti Mariah is believed to stand a good chance in bagging the post.

Contests good for party

Meanwhile, Nik Abdul Aziz said at a separate press conference today that he would not stop candidates from contesting in the upcoming party's elections to be held next month.

He said it was up to members to decide on who should lead the party.

"Contest is good to keep the party going. But if there is negotiation (to avoid contests), perhaps it could 'cool down' the competition a bit."

Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, also stressed that party members should not choose candidates who slandered their opponents.

The PAS leader appeared fit despite undergoing a surgery in August last year to install a device which detects abnormalities of the heart.

The veteran politician, popularly known as Tok Guru, had suffered a heart attack on July 22.