PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has insisted that he will not contest in the next general election despite calls from the party's leadership for him to reconsider.

In an interview with the Sunday Star today, Abdul Hadi said that he will remain as president and would like to be fully focussed on party affairs, said the report.

"I am fatigued. As president, I also have to travel the length and breadth of the country. As an elected representative, I have to visit my constituencies.

"Because I have to be away from Terengganu on most days, I feel I have been neglecting my constituents. So it is best that others take over from me," he was quoted as saying.

pas convention shah alam 190211 nik abdul aziz nik mat at podium In January, Hadi had made public his intention to sit out of the upcoming polls.

Following this, PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat ( left ) had advised Hadi against the decision, stating: "There are many people, but few have the talent to lead like Abdul Hadi does, more so in the Islamic struggle. Why should he stop? I disagree."

The party later announced its unanimous decision rejecting Abdul Hadi's intention not to contest in the next general election.

However, Abdul Hadi told the daily he has discussed a "trade off" with the party's top brass in which he will find a replacement candidate for the Marang parliamentary seat and Rhu Rendang state assembly seat which he presently holds.

"If they do not like candidates I propose, I will go on looking. I am personally handling this task and will continue until they agree to let me go," he was quoted as saying.