Hadi: I’m ready to be PM
Mohd Farhan Darwis, The Malaysian Insider
Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang finally bowed today to repeated calls from PAS members for him to be the next prime minister, saying he was ready to lead the country should Pakatan Rakyat (BN) win the next election.
“I welcome being elected as the prime minister … but I ask for Allah to grant us victory,” the PAS president said in his closing speech at the party’s 58th annual conference, or muktamar.
The Marang MP was responding to calls by several delegates who insisted numerous times during the muktamar that the next prime minister should come from the Islamist party.
Abdul Hadi’s statement and the resounding support of party delegates contradict the stand taken by the PR leadership, which has repeatedly endorsed its de facto leader Anwar for the post of prime minister.
Among those who voiced their endorsement was the information chief for the women’s wing, Aiman Athirah, who had called for delegates to work harder so that PAS can lead PR, and Abdul Hadi Awang be elected the prime minister.
The PAS Ulama wing also urged for the party to be the major power in PR so Abdul Hadi can be elected as cabinet leader.
“We live in a democratic system, so if PAS wins a lot (of seats) in the next election, then the prime minister’s post must go to the President,” said Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamad, the Deputy Chief of PAS Ulama wing during the closing speeches.
“So after this, let there be no one who promote others, we unanimously want our president to be the prime minister.
“Rise if you agree with me,” he requested, prompting the whole hall of delegates to stand up.
Yesterday, Abdul Hadi Awang played down a suggestion from party delegates that he become the next prime minister instead of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saying he would rather be a “servant” to the country instead of pursuing the post.
Meanwhile, Anwar responded positively today to calls from PAS members, saying the proposal could be discussed, despite his ambition for the post being no secret.
“No problem, kita boleh bincang dengan baik (we can discuss this amicably),” Anwar said to reporters earlier.
