Addressing the central delegates at the 58th PAS Muktamar in Kota Bharu today, Hairun Nizam Mat Husain, who represented the conservative Dewan Ulama, said Abdul Hadi was the best candidate.

"Who is the best person to be prime minister if not our tok guru president?

NONE "By right, Abdul Hadi should be the head because we need someone who knows best about Allah's law in creating a Muslim state," he said.

Earlier, Hairun expressed concerned that PAS may capture political power at the expense of the party's dakwah (missionary work).

"Right from the beginning, PAS is a dakwah movement. Politics is only a means for dakwah..." he said.

The comments were in contrast to assertions made by leaders in PKR and DAP, both repeatedly affirming that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was the prime minister-in-waiting.

Hadi responses

Responding to the issue later, Abdul Hadi told a press conference that Muslim leaders should not aspire for such positions.

"I, as leader of an Islamic party, am taught not to ask for such positions. We do not ask as it is a heavy and great responsibility. What is important is we focus on taking over Putrajaya.

"Who becomes the prime minister, someone who is accepted by the people, someone who can unite our people and uphold justice for the people, we will accept," he said.

Asked  how he would respond if Pakatan nominated him as premier, Abdul Hadi replied: "I would just like to be the khadam (servant) of the people".

Pressed on who was the most qualified candidate as premier if Pakatan captures Putrajaya in the next general election, Hadi told journalists to wait for the proper time.

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali who was also present chipped in that it was more important to win the election first.

"The most qualified will be those who win, if they don't win then obviously they cannot (be qualified)," he said.