PAS leader: Hadi may not dance, but can waltz M'sia into Islamic era

Summary

• Abdul Hadi Awang would be qualified to lead if the public desires an Islamic government, but not so if it’s a secular one, senior PAS leader Mokhtar Senik says.

• Mokhtar dismisses notion the PAS president is frail and would not be able to lead.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang may not be able to gyrate his hips to a tune, but he will be able to lead the nation into an Islamic era, said senior PAS leader Mokhtar Senik.

He was responding to the various reactions, including negative comments, for naming the veteran politician as a candidate for prime minister.

Mokhtar said he named the PAS president as a candidate if the public desired an Islamic government and an Islamic state to be established in Malaysia.

“What I mean is TGHH (Hadi) is the most qualified if we want an Islamic government and an Islamic state.

“But if you want a secular, liberal state like the one we have now, then of course TGHH is not qualified,” he added.

Mokhtar (above) also dismissed the argument that the 77-year-old politician seemed frail and this would make it difficult for him to lead.

“But you have to remember, the job of the PM (prime minister) is not about dancing. If you want to dance and show off, of course, Tuan Guru (Hadi) cannot do that,” he added.

‘New face’

Yesterday, Mokhtar said Hadi could bring a new face to politics in Malaysia if he becomes the prime minister.

The PAS central ulama committee member cited Hadi's knowledge and piety as important qualities needed in a leader. These qualities allow him to distinguish between what is halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) while also guiding the people.

While it is common for political parties to name a prime ministerial candidate, Hadi, in 2017, criticised the practice of making the choice at an early stage.

Arguing that it contradicted the practices of the Prophet Muhammad, he said PAS rejected this practice.

“Therefore, PAS does not rush the formation of a cabinet or appoint a potential prime minister, who could end up being ‘dead weight.’

“This is the etiquette taught by Prophet Muhammad when the leader of the Bani Amir tribe asked who would be the leader of the state. The Prophet replied, ‘That is the matter of Allah, who determines it according to His will,’” he added.

PM candidates

Debates have previously emerged regarding the prime ministerial candidate for Perikatan Nasional, sparked by ongoing discussions within the coalition.

While Bersatu has put forward its president, Muhyiddin Yassin, as a suitable candidate, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin clarified that other parties within PN have not yet endorsed the decision.

Hashim further emphasised that no formal discussions had taken place on the matter.

He also noted that grassroots members would prefer to see leaders from their own party leading the country, rather than those from other parties.

Bersatu supreme council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal sought to de-escalate tensions by proposing four potential candidates.

In addition to Muhyiddin, he suggested Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, and Hamzah Zainudin, emphasising their strong relationships with the monarchy as one of the key reasons for their suitability.

Tuan Ibrahim is the deputy president of PAS, while Samsuri serves as the party’s vice-president and the menteri besar of Terengganu. Hamzah holds the position of deputy president of Bersatu.

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