KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is sticking to his decision to only defend his Marang parliamentary seat in the next general election.
Abdul Hadi, who is also the Rhu Rendang assemblyman, said he hoped the party leadership would accept his decision to only defend that seat.
“I hope they will allow me to only contest that seat – after rejecting my initial wish not to stand at all in the next general election.
“I will be able to perform better in my capacity as party president and be more active at federal level if I were to only defend the Marang seat,” he said after attending a Chinese New Year event in Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin here on Friday.
He was commenting on Friday’s decision by PAS’ political bureau to reject his wish not to be listed as a candidate in the election.
In a previous interview with Sinar Harian, Abdul Hadi had expressed his wish not to defend both his Marang parliamentary and Rhu Rendang state seats.
He had also reportedly said that if he were to be nominated by the party, he would agree to defend only one of his seats.
“Allow me to defend only one seat. That is all I am asking. However, it is up to the party,” said Abdul Hadi.
He added that he respected the party’s decision.
He also praised the party for having the confidence in him to serve the party and the people.
Abdul Hadi said all the states had forwarded PAS’ list of candidates for the election, which would include many new faces.
“The list has more women candidates and even non-Muslims. However, we have not made any final decision because the list will be thoroughly vetted,” he said.
– TheStarOnline
