KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional (PN) has not named its prime minister candidate for “safety reasons”, claiming the person could be bribed or framed to prevent them from contesting.
Tuan Guru Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang (PN-Marang) said in the Dewan Rakyat that integrity is the most important factor in choosing the coalition’s leader.
“Some may ask why we have yet to announce our prime minister candidate, a question that is often raised,” he said during the debate on the Supply Bill 2026.
“My answer is this: what matters most to us is choosing a leader with integrity, and they should also win the election. How can someone become prime minister if they don’t win?”
He said the decision to withhold the name is “for safety reasons.”
“Sometimes, when people find out who the prime minister candidate is, they may try to bribe him with gold bars, plant gold bars or drugs in his car, and cause him to be disqualified from contesting,” the Pas president said.
Ustaz Abdul Hadi also said PN will try to bring change to the nation’s leadership by introducing Islamic principles in governance should it be given the mandate to lead.
He said candidates, whether contesting or not, are assessed based on their knowledge, morals, and character, which reflect their overall integrity.
“There is also a disciplinary committee, and if there is party-related or personal misconduct, the person may also be expelled. Even though we may have fewer seats, this is the effort we can make to bring about change in the country,” he said. – NST
