KANGAR, July 5 -- PAS said it is open to contests for all positions, including the top posts of president and deputy president, at its 71st Muktamar or annual congress scheduled for September.

Its spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin was quoted saying the Islamist part has a history of allowing contests at all levels and the decision on whether to challenge the top leadership would ultimately lie with the delegates.

"As of now, I am not aware whether there will be contests for the posts of president or deputy president. Whether or not there is a contest will be determined at the muktamar," he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

Hashim noted that unlike some parties, PAS does not discourage contests for leadership roles.

"PAS is al...