The leadership of ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been far better than that of his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

"Abdullah's leadership is weak and many of his decisions have been made hurriedly especially in relation to corruption," Abdul Hadi responded, when asked to assess the premier's performance since assuming office in November 2003.

"The difference between Mahathir and Abdullah is that Mahathir had stronger charisma as a prime minister."

Abdul Hadi, interviewed during a visit to the malaysiakini office in Kuala Lumpur this morning, noted that ruling coalition Barisan Nasional's landslide win in the 2004 general election had come just after Abdullah stepped into Mahathir's shoes.

He said that, although Abdullah has portrayed himself as a 'Mr Clean', he has not fulfilled many of the pledges he has made.

Elaborating, the opposition leader said the recent string of religion-based controversies - especially those linked to apostasy and conversion - has been due to Abdullah's poor handling of the matter.

"Did you ever hear of such issues arising during Mahathir's time? During Abdullah's time, we are hearing a lot about this," he pointed out.

Abdul Hadi, who was once at loggerheads with Mahathir, was also quizzed on his party's current 'cordial' relationship with him.

He said things have changed since the ex-premier's retirement from politics and government.

"Now Mahathir sits outside the house (Umno). Before, he was in the house and he couldn't see things properly," he responded with an analogy.

Asked whether PAS would offer Mahathir a seat to contest in the forthcoming general election, Abdul Hadi quipped: "He will have to apply to us first."

On a serious note, he said PAS had offered the Kapar parliamentary seat to Mahathir after the latter was expelled from Umno in 1969, and that they have shared similar views on several issues.

Evasive responses

During the two-hour dialogue, Abdul Hadi at times appeared evasive in his responses, including those on the Islamic state. PAS has vowed to establish an Islamic state should it come into power.

"People already know what PAS stands for," he replied to a query on PAS having recently downplayed this intention.

Pressed to make a stand on Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's recent statement that Malaysia has always been an Islamic state, Abdul Hadi brushed aside the question as well.

"Najib has personal problems. He said this just to show how Islamic he is," he said, refusing to elaborate on the nature of the 'personal problems'.

On the conflict of jurisdiction between the civil and syariah courts in matters related to converts and apostasy, the PAS leader said the use of Islamic law in Malaysia is not holistic.

He argued the Islamic authorities are not given sufficient power, likening the situation to "buying a car without tyres".

On the issue of apostates, Abdul Hadi said it should not be interpreted as a matter of freedom of religion but as a matter of "controlling" Muslims.

"There is a need for legislation for this and action must be taken against apostates, especially when they 'act' through the newspapers. It is a form of provocation (against Muslim sentiment)," he said.

Other party officials in the PAS delegation were his press secretary Roslan Shahir, Chinese media liaison officer Hu Pang Chaw, Kelantan-based senator Mumtaz Md Nawi and PAS central working committee member Dr Lo' Lo' Ghazali.

Tomorrow: On PAS preparations for the next election

Photos by Fauwaz Abdul Aziz