Abdul Hadi Awang said today he would not step down as PAS president though there were calls for him to do so.

"I was elected to lead PAS ... I will not shirk this responsibility," he said when closing the special seminar organised by PAS at the party's field headquarters in Taman Melewar here.

He said in being a leader, one needed to have a professional attitude and accept criticisms with an open heart though it might hurt.

pas seminar 071109 hadi awang "PAS leaders are akin to football players, we need to be strong when faced with challenges.

"There may be sharp criticisms... sack the captain, dismiss the coach and players and the like, but we have not completed the first half... we are professional players not kampung players," he said.

Speaking at a press conference later, Hadi described the seminar as a huge success.

"It strengthened our resolve to move forward together with our partners in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition," he said.

Five resolutions were adopted at the seminar, which was called in lieu of an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) mooted by PAS spiritual advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

The Kelantan Menteri Besar had wanted the EGM to rid PAS of pro-Umno leaders but reached a compromise to have this seminar after a meeting of the party's syura council, the top decision-making body in PAS.

- Bernama