Some 1,000 PAS delegates will decide whether to have leaders from the conservative clerical faction or those from the liberal wing that supports closer ties with non-Muslims.

At a five-day PAS annual assembly which begins in Shah Alam tomorrow, the delegates will also decide whether to turn the PAS Supporters' Club of some 50,000 non-Muslims into a full wing or leave them as associate members.

PAS' Syura Council of clerics did not object to the idea of amending the party constitution to allow for this, especially with the party having gained huge support from non-Muslims since the March polls last year.

But all eyes this week will be on the battle for the party's No. 2 post between pro-Umno incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa of the conservatives and Datuk Husam Musa, leader of the progressives.

A third contender, vice-president Mohamad Sabu, is unlikely to beat Mr Nasharudin but could be the spoiler and steal votes away from Mr Husam.

Mr Nasharudin told The Star daily over the weekend that his win will not change PAS' approach towards non-Muslims but it remains unclear how his support for Umno and the championing of Malay rights will affect the party's way forward.

Mr Hu Pang Chow, founder of the PAS Supporters' Club for non-Muslims, said that PAS, dominant in the mainly-Malay belt of Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah states, must continue to woo the minorities if it wants to become a force to be reckoned with.

While there is fear among some party members that its Islamic aims will be diluted, Mr Hu said the party has no choice but to move forward.

'Some are worried that the influx of non-Muslims will jeopardise the struggle of the party,' said Mr Hu.

PAS needed not only those who can lead in religious affairs, but also in the economy and other important issues, he added. 'It should be a mix of the ulama and professional. We must also focus on the needs of the modern world and not just the hereafter.'

Read the full story in The Straits Times on Tuesday.

hazlinh@sph.com.sg