Husam Musa continues to attract media attention at the 55th PAS Muktamar with reporters clamouring to get his comments on last minute campaigning for the party's deputy president post.
However, the aspirant hopes that his strong message that there should not be cooperation with Umno is accepted by the party during this year's muktamar.
"I hope that this strong message is accepted that in no way should the party cooperate with Umno which is the enemy.
"As long as they (Umno) are in a position of advantage, we should not be cooperating with them. If we are leading (in terms of seat) then we can negotiate. If we negotiate now, it would be seen as helping Umno which is now in a dire state," Husam emphasised.
As to his chances of winning the deputy presidency post, Husam who is a Kelantan senior state exco member and Salor assemblyperson, feels it is still a 50:50 chance.
He declined the notion that he is a professional and rather be termed an "activist" to suit his political aspirations.
The fight for the party's deputy president post has narrowed to a bitter fight between Husam, an economist, and Nasharuddin Mat Isa, a Jordan-trained ulama. The third candidate Mohammad Sabu is not expected to put up a strong challenge.
Husam's edge over Nasharuddin is his reputation as a technocrat and intelligent politician in the Kelantan government. His background in economy helped him in turning the state finances into good shape.
Nasharuddin (right), on the other hand, is known as a moderate ulama, who is able to project a modern image of PAS to non-Muslims.
Unlike Nasharuddin, Husam's adamant stand that PAS should decline any ties with Umno could discourage support from certain party members who felt that PAS and Umno could form a unity government.
Warning against those who defame him
Husam also lamented the latest attacks on him, saying that this were his enemies outside the party and not within the party.
"They will be treated accordingly," he warned.
He said he had filed a suit against two Kelantan Barisan Nasional assemblypersons for their false accusations and they have since apologised.
Earlier this week, the Paloh assemblyperson Nozula Mat Diah made a public apology in several newspaper for false statements and reports made to the Anti-Corruption Agency, which he made against Husam two years ago.
"I have also filed a suit against Utusan yesterday and its journalists for an article which appeared on Sunday which was defamatory to me," he said.
Husam also played down the impact of the such articles on his chances for the deputy presidency saying "sometimes, negative campaign is also good," he said.
Unlike the fierce, noisy and boisterous Umno elections, PAS elections is seen to be more subdued with no signs of people canvassing for votes.
Voting will begin when the meeting convenes after Friday prayers.
During the break, a list containing names of candidates had been sent out to delegates via SMSes to canvass for votes. Among those ‘preferred' included Husam, Mahfuz Omar, Salahuddin Ayob and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man - all seen to be from the professional faction.
Another group representing the ulama, were also be sending out SMSes, to show their preferred candidates.
Kit Siang: necessary for Najib to clear his name
Meanwhile, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang has called on Najib to come clean to clear his name following his alleged involvement in the murder of Mongolia national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
"There is no purpose for Najib to clear the air overseas. In Malaysia, he seems to be hiding," he said.
"Najib should clear this matter once and for all as this would undermine his leadership."
Lim also repeated calls for a royal commission to be held to clear the matter.
Najib had told reporters in China, where he is on an official visit, that he had nothing to do with Altantuya's death.
Lim is at the PAS Muktamar along with PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Ibrahim and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim. Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, PKR Vice-President Azmin Ali and Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak.
"I hope that this strong message is accepted that in no way should the party cooperate with Umno which is the enemy.
"As long as they (Umno) are in a position of advantage, we should not be cooperating with them. If we are leading (in terms of seat) then we can negotiate. If we negotiate now, it would be seen as helping Umno which is now in a dire state," Husam emphasised.
As to his chances of winning the deputy presidency post, Husam who is a Kelantan senior state exco member and Salor assemblyperson, feels it is still a 50:50 chance.
He declined the notion that he is a professional and rather be termed an "activist" to suit his political aspirations.
The fight for the party's deputy president post has narrowed to a bitter fight between Husam, an economist, and Nasharuddin Mat Isa, a Jordan-trained ulama. The third candidate Mohammad Sabu is not expected to put up a strong challenge.
Husam's edge over Nasharuddin is his reputation as a technocrat and intelligent politician in the Kelantan government. His background in economy helped him in turning the state finances into good shape.
Nasharuddin (right), on the other hand, is known as a moderate ulama, who is able to project a modern image of PAS to non-Muslims.
Unlike Nasharuddin, Husam's adamant stand that PAS should decline any ties with Umno could discourage support from certain party members who felt that PAS and Umno could form a unity government.
Warning against those who defame him
Husam also lamented the latest attacks on him, saying that this were his enemies outside the party and not within the party.
"They will be treated accordingly," he warned.
He said he had filed a suit against two Kelantan Barisan Nasional assemblypersons for their false accusations and they have since apologised.
Earlier this week, the Paloh assemblyperson Nozula Mat Diah made a public apology in several newspaper for false statements and reports made to the Anti-Corruption Agency, which he made against Husam two years ago.
"I have also filed a suit against Utusan yesterday and its journalists for an article which appeared on Sunday which was defamatory to me," he said.
Husam also played down the impact of the such articles on his chances for the deputy presidency saying "sometimes, negative campaign is also good," he said.
Unlike the fierce, noisy and boisterous Umno elections, PAS elections is seen to be more subdued with no signs of people canvassing for votes.
Voting will begin when the meeting convenes after Friday prayers.
During the break, a list containing names of candidates had been sent out to delegates via SMSes to canvass for votes. Among those ‘preferred' included Husam, Mahfuz Omar, Salahuddin Ayob and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man - all seen to be from the professional faction.
Another group representing the ulama, were also be sending out SMSes, to show their preferred candidates.
Kit Siang: necessary for Najib to clear his name
Meanwhile, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang has called on Najib to come clean to clear his name following his alleged involvement in the murder of Mongolia national Altantuya Shaariibuu.
"There is no purpose for Najib to clear the air overseas. In Malaysia, he seems to be hiding," he said.
"Najib should clear this matter once and for all as this would undermine his leadership."
Lim also repeated calls for a royal commission to be held to clear the matter.
Najib had told reporters in China, where he is on an official visit, that he had nothing to do with Altantuya's death.
Lim is at the PAS Muktamar along with PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Ibrahim and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Zaid Ibrahim. Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, PKR Vice-President Azmin Ali and Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak.
06/06/09
No comments:
Post a Comment