Hadi Awang: PAS members determine party leadership, not outsiders

(The Star) – Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang says it is up to PAS members alone to determine his position in the party leadership.

“PAS members have their own stand. Others should not meddle into PAS’ administrative affairs,” said the PAS president referring to reports that there will be competition for top leadership posts during the upcoming party elections.

He made the comments in a post on his official Facebook account Friday.

PAS, which has always been divided between its ulama and progressive factions, will hold polls in three months. Party leaders are elected every two years.

The infighting has been fuelled by alleged attempts to topple Hadi by the progressive group, who are believed to be unhappy with decisions by the president that are contrary to the Pakatan Rakyat stand.

PAS vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man was named as the contender for the PAS presidency by Kota Baru PAS division head Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah on March 11 but Tuan Ibrahim declined the invitation.

He turned it down because he felt that the “unprecedented” challenge for the top post was not good for party unity.

Vice-president Datuk Husam Musa was also nominated by Kota Tinggi PAS members for the top post on March 14.

Hadi has never been challenged for the top post during his entire 13 years in office.

He took over the post from Datuk Fadzil Noor who died of a heart attack.

The ulama faction has made a strong call for members not to contest the top post in bid to show that Hadi has the backing of the party.

However, PAS’ national unity bureau chief Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said it was not wrong for members to contest the post, adding that it would not cause a split in PAS.