Hadi nominated as Opposition Leader, say party sources
PAS acting-president Abdul Hadi Awang has been nominated to take over as the parliamentary Opposition Leader following the demise of Fadzil Noor on Sunday. According to informed party sources, the nomination was made during a PAS central working committee meeting held in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
However, when contacted today, PAS secretary-general Nasharudin Mat Isa declined to confirm this.
He said the party will consult with Parliamentary Speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail before announcing the new Opposition Leader.
"We will hold a discussion with the Speaker today. We have spoken with Keadilan [leaders] and they have agreed to the suggestion that the matter be brought to the Speaker," said Nasharudin, who is also the member of parliament for Yan, Kedah.
According to him, PAS intends to announce the new Opposition Leader before the end of the current parliamentary session on Thursday.
Yesterday, Zahir said it was up to the opposition parties to choose the new Opposition Leader from within their ranks. The Speaker added there is no time frame for an appointment to be made within this parliamentary session.
Acting-president
Meanwhile, Nasharudin also said PAS leaders officially agreed yesterday to appoint Hadi, who is also Terengganu Menteri Besar, as acting-president until the next party elections expected to be held in June next year.
"The decision was made before the passing of [Fadzil]. Yesterday, we confirmed Hadi as acting-president," he explained.
Asked if Hadi will be able to effectively assume the acting-presidency in addition to his other responsibilities, Nasharudin said, "He will have three vice-presidents to assist him as well as other members of the party."
Apart from his position as Terengganu Menteri Besar, Hadi is also the MP for Marang and state assemblyperson for Ru Rendang
On the party's plans for the immediate future, Nasharudin said PAS is now gearing up to defend the Pendang parliamentary seat and Anak Bukit state assembly seat, previously held by Fadzil, in the upcoming by-election.
Fadzil, who underwent a triple heart bypass surgery at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago, was laid to rest in his hometown of Pokok Sena, Kedah, late Sunday evening.
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