Latest news with #MarangPAS
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
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.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Samsuri eyeing bigger role in leaving Marang PAS chief post, says analyst
Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who has been the Marang PAS chief since 2019, announced yesterday that he would not be defending his position. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : An analyst has described Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar's decision not to defend his post as Marang PAS chief as a possible move towards pursuing a higher position in the party. Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Samsuri's decision to relinquish the post he had held for years might not simply be about injecting 'fresh energy' into the division. Speaking to FMT, he said it might be an early signal of bigger political ambitions ahead of the 16th general election (GE16). 'There's a possibility that Samsuri is looking ahead – letting go of a less significant position to vie for a more influential one, such as the PAS deputy presidency. 'From a different aspect, it could be a message from the party leadership: that the old guard should make way for new leaders,' he told FMT. Samsuri, who has been the Marang PAS chief since 2019, announced yesterday that he would not be defending his position. He said he believed the time had come for someone else to carry on the struggle. Terengganu PAS committee member Hanafiah Mat said Samsuri's decision to step down was due to his 'huge mission' of preparing for GE16. PAS spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin said Samsuri's decision to step down as Marang commissioner was a non-issue since he was still a party vice-president and the Terengganu menteri besar. Meanwhile, Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said Samsuri's decision could be tied to political manoeuvring within PAS. She said the move might appear to be about opening up space for new leaders, but could also be interpreted as a response to growing unease among certain factions over Samsuri's position. 'I think Samsuri is prioritising the party's interests, especially if there are already voices expressing uneasiness with his leadership,' she said. She did not rule out the possibility that Samsuri might also decline to defend his PAS vice-presidency in the upcoming party elections. 'If the voices opposing Samsuri grow louder, and more party leaders withdraw their support for him, it's possible that he will no longer remain as menteri besar. 'But I believe Terengganu PAS will be fine. In fact, it might even become more stable after this,' she added.
