New face of politics will emerge if Hadi becomes PM - PAS leader

Summary

• Senior PAS leader Mokhtar Senik endorses Abdul Hadi Awang as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate, citing his knowledge, piety, and fairness.

• Mokhtar highlights the importance of a leader’s ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and their commitment to fairness and integrity.

• Mokhtar stresses that a prime minister must unite Malaysia’s diverse society and lead with transparency, believing Hadi is the right person for the role.

A senior PAS leader has publicly endorsed party president Abdul Hadi Awang as the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate.

In his social media posting today, Mokhtar Senik outlined the qualities of the Marang MP, who, in his view, qualified Hadi to lead the next government.

Mokhtar (above) explained that his proposal was neither sentimental nor blind loyalty but based on reality.

He added that the most crucial qualities for a leader are knowledge and piety, enabling them to distinguish between what is permissible and prohibited while guiding the people on such matters.

He added that this knowledge would allow a prime minister to exercise independent reasoning (ijtihad) when necessary.

Secondly, he noted, the individual must have commendable character and fairness.

“A fair person is one who does not commit major sins such as murder, adultery, or engaging in usury. They also do not persist in committing minor sins.

“Thus, appointing a morally corrupt person (fasik) is invalid. A morally corrupt person is someone who does not meet the conditions of fairness,” said the PAS central ulama council member.

PM candidate tussle

Previously, debates had arisen regarding who should be the prime ministerial candidate for Perikatan Nasional following various discussions.

While Bersatu has stated that its president Muhyiddin Yassin is a suitable candidate, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin indicated that the decision had not yet been endorsed by other parties within PN.

Hashim also mentioned that no discussions had taken place on the issue.

He added that grassroots members prefer seeing their party leaders helm the country rather than those from other parties.

Bersatu supreme council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal attempted to ease the temperature by suggesting four suitable candidates.

Besides Muhyiddin, he proposed Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, and Hamzah Zainudin, citing, among other reasons, their good relationships with the monarchy.

Tuan Ibrahim is PAS’ deputy president, while Samsuri is party vice-president and Terengganu menteri besar.

Hamzah is Bersatu’s deputy president.

Uniting multiracial society

Mokhtar said a prime ministerial candidate must be capable of uniting the nation’s multiracial society rather than using unity as a political tool.

Another factor listed by the former Padang Besar parliamentary candidate is having a cabinet team capable of implementing the national agenda with integrity and transparency.

“Thus, I see no other figure at this moment apart from Hadi.

“In addition to possessing all these qualifications, I am confident that under his leadership, a new face of national politics will emerge,” he said.

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