Hadi Still Going Strong Despite Calls To Step Down Source Says

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Abdul Hadi Awang became PAS president in 2002, after the passing of Fadzil Noor.
PETALING JAYA: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang remains highly motivated to lead the party, with no indication of any plans to step down despite calls for him to make way for other leaders in the party elections this September, a source says.
The source said that during a meeting last month, Hadi had shown no sign of relinquishing the presidency, a position he has held since 2002 following the passing of Fadzil Noor.
“He is still eager to steer PAS forward and has shown no sign of stepping down, despite talks suggesting otherwise.
“Hadi’s insights remain sharp and incisive. He recalls historical events, key dates, and election figures with remarkable precision,” the source told FMT.
Some PAS members had reportedly urged Hadi, the Marang MP, to make way for younger leaders, especially as the Islamic party gears up for the 16th general election.
This fuelled speculation that the positions of president and deputy president could be contested for the first time since 2015, when they were won by Hadi and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
In an interview with FMT last month, Tuan Ibrahim said he would not run for the top spot when the polls are held later this year, insisting that Hadi would remain at the helm.
The Kubang Kerian MP also said he had yet to decide whether to defend his position as deputy president as he wanted to see who else was running for the other leadership posts.
Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was reported as saying that he had never considered running for the presidency, believing he was not suited for such a heavy responsibility.
Samsuri, the Terengganu menteri besar, had been widely speculated as PAS’s potential candidate for prime minister.
The source said that if a contest for the deputy presidency were to take place, it could revive a clash between the professional and ulama factions within PAS.
According to the source, the pro-ulama faction is expected to back party vice-president Amar Abdullah for the post of deputy president should Tuan Ibrahim decide not to defend his position.
“They are determined to ensure that the ulama faction retains both the top two positions, even if it means challenging anyone, including Samsuri, should he accept a nomination for deputy president,” the source said. - FMT

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