PAS vice-president Husam Musa has given his clearest signal yet regarding his intention to challenge incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa for the party's No 2 post.

"If PAS' direction is clear and there are no doubts about Umno's relationship with PAS, (then there will be) no reason for me to contest," Husam told reporters after visiting the Pengkalan Chepa Industrial Area (II) in Kelantan.

"But today, I feel that this direction is not clear and there are still doubts about the relationship (between PAS and Umno)."

Husam said he wants to determine why the grassroots have nominated him for the post and will be contacting heads of the divisions that gave him the nominations.

He has already received the minimum of two nominations required to run for the post and is expected to pick up the bulk of the nominations from the 14 PAS divisions in Kelantan, where he is based.

Thus far, vice-president Mohamad Sabu had been the only one to have confirmed his intention to contest for the deputy president's post, which Nasharuddin has held for two consecutive terms.

No self absorption

Husam's candidacy has generated much interest due to the so-called fight between the ‘pro-Pakatan Rakyat' faction which Husam is aligned to, versus the ‘pro-muzakarah' faction, linked to Nasharuddin (right), which wants closer ties with Umno.

Party leaders however have rubbished the existence of such factions and claimed that the labels were concocted by their political rivals to split the party.

Talks about factionalism gripping PAS began when delegates engaged in heated debates during the party general assembly last year, over clandestine talks between certain portions of the party leadership with Umno counterparts.

According to Bernama, Husam also said that he would consider several factors before deciding on contesting, namely: the wishes of party members, reasons for him to contest and the approach PAS would take in the 13th general election.

"As a rule, I don't like to promote myself (in order to be elected) for any posts, except when the party needs me to do so," he said.

He stressed that any decisions he would make would be in the best interest of the party which was more important than personal interest.

The PAS annual meeting - and party elections - is scheduled to be held from June 3 to 7 in Shah Alam, Selangor