Choice of Pakatan leader a collective decision, not PAS’, says Hadi Awang

(The Star) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said that it is not up to the party alone to decide who should lead the opposition pact, but a collective decision.

Speaking at a press conference here, Hadi said that such decision should be made by the Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council on who should be the ‘chairman’ and to lead the alliance.

“We have a right (to lead) but not a right to appoint ourselves. This matter should be discussed with other Pakatan Rakyat leaders,” he said.

Hadi was commenting on a delegate from Johor, who earlier questioned who would be the right person to lead the coalition.

Firdaus Mohd Noor, said that PAS should make an official stand on the potential Prime Mnister in-waiting, should Pakatan Rakyat wrest take Putrajaya in the next general election.

Hadi also denied allegations that there were party leaders that were “power crazy”, which affected their ability to focus on a specific task given, and eventually, the party.

He said PAS had never asked for any position, but the request came from the grassroots who wanted a particular leader to hold a position.

“We tend to face problems when the members suggest a leader to hold many positions at one time,” he said, referring to PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

“Take Nik Aziz for example. There have been demands from the people in Kelantan and the Syura Ulama council who wanted him to continue as Mentri Besar and PAS state commissioner.

“We know that he is ailing, but because of such demands, he was forced to continue as Mentri Besar.

“But we lessened his burden and to allow him to continue as a spiritual leader,” he said.

Earlier, Firdaus had blamed the downfall of Terengganu in the 2008 general election to overlapping tasks held by Hadi, who was then the state Mentri Besar, the party president and also state commissioner.