Hadi says snubbed Dr Wan Azizah to avoid dragging PAS members ‘to hell’

(Malay Mail Online) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang again defended his decision to reject Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s Selangor mentri besar candidacy, saying he was afraid his endorsement would drag the rest of his party members to hell in the afterlife.

Abdul Hadi, who was speaking at the conclusion of PAS’s annual congress here, explained that he had decided to submit his own set of MB candidates to the Selangor Sultan in deference of the Islamic moral code and out of respect for the state ruler.

“We elect a leader for his inclination, not just his qualifications. Electing leader is a trust, you don’t just elect him easily,” the chief of the Islamist party said.

“I might be dragged to hell. I am not ready to drag all of you to hell. That is why we had to interfere.”

Abdul Hadi said PAS could not keep silent on the matter as it has to seek the blessing of God, especially when the Selangor ruler is a defender of Malay rights and the Islamic faith.

He also defended the party’s decision-making Syura Council, saying it is made of the best minds in Islamic jurisprudence.

“The party constitution must be interpreted with our party’s faith,” said Abdul Hadi.

“In this matter, we must stand by their stand. Although you are knowledgeable, don’t let your mind override the Islamic moral code.”

During its muktamar this week, PAS’s Ulama wing stood by their party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in the Selangor mentri besar crisis, offering three reasons in the name of Islam for doing so, including the fact that PKR’s choice for the position is a woman and therefore incapable of shouldering the responsibility.

Like Abdul Hadi, the wing also said the reluctance to endorse Dr Wan Azizah was partly because a Muslim will be asked of his agreement to elect a leader in the afterlife.

The wing’s rejection of Dr Wan Azizah over her gender has since been met with scathing criticism from allies and women’s groups, who categorised the view as antiquated and misguided.

PAS’s own legal and human rights bureau had previously criticised Hadi and the Syura Council for their handling of the Selangor mentri besar crisis, saying the latter does not have the power to interpret the party’s constitution on its own, in order to declare that Hadi has the veto authority to deliver the names of his choice.