Marang exit nothing to do with PAS presidency, says Samsuri
PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (right) is a former political aide to party president Abdul Hadi Awang. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has dismissed speculation he is not defending his post of Marang PAS chief so that he can vie for the party's presidency.
Samsuri said his decision was simply aimed at allowing new leaders to take over the divisional post and to focus on preparations for the next general election (GE16).
The Terengganu menteri besar also said there is no reason for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to step down from the top post when the Islamic party is performing strongly.
'The question of (Hadi) stepping down doesn't arise. Why entertain such thoughts (about having a new PAS president) when the party is performing so well?
'The current momentum must be maintained,' he said, according to Berita Harian.
Yesterday, political analyst Azmi Hassan told FMT that Samsuri's decision not to defend the Marang PAS chief's post could be a tactical move so that he could contest for a higher position in the party hierarchy.
Azmi said relinquishing his long-held position might not just be about giving Marang PAS a breath of fresh air but possibly an early sign of Samsuri's greater political ambitions ahead of GE16.
It was reported recently that Hadi, 77, had hinted at stepping down as PAS president due to health reasons, after leading the party since 2002.
Following that, speculation began circulating regarding his successor, including calls for the continuation of clerical leadership in the Islamic party.
Samsuri, a former political aide to Hadi, has been touted as a potential prime minister candidate from PAS, though the ulama faction in the party is said to be resistant to him taking the helm because of his technocrat background.
PAS is expected to hold its party elections in September.
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