PAS proposes to introduce a new combination of leadership for Kelantan if it retains the state, in the form of a menteri besar, who will serve as a religious figure, and his deputy, who is a technocrat.

Party secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan announced this today in a statement.

“There will be new leadership for the state of Kelantan subject to the mandate of the people and the approval of the sultan of Kelantan,” said Takiyuddin.

“The chief minister is a religious figure while the deputy is a technocrat.”

Kelantan was helmed by Ahmad Yakob and his deputy Amar Nik Abdullah.

Takiyuddin said the Islamist party would keep the menteri besar of Terengganu and Kedah. Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar is the caretaker menteri besar of Terengganu is while Kedah is led by Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. 

Takiyuddin said the decisions were made yesterday at the PAS central committee meeting chaired by party president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Samsuri, who is defending the Pasir Pekan seat, has said that this will be his last election.

PAS has said that it will not name the menteri besar until after the polls.

“At the moment we leave it to the people to choose the candidates. We need to get the results first,” Samsuri had said.

“Within a few days after the polls, we will announce those who are eligible.

“There is no need to speculate who will be the candidate because everyone is qualified (to be menteri besar). Excos are eligible, the MB is eligible. Everyone is eligible, there is no one who is not eligible.”

PAS has called on voters to choose leaders from Perikatan Nasional who are “clean” and benevolent. – August 11, 2023.