Count me out, says Hadi
PAS president wants to pick the best candidates to contest his seats
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite appeals from senior officials of PAS and its partners in Pakatan Rakyat to reconsider, party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang ( pic) is sticking to his decision not to contest in the general election.
Hadi said he had discussed with the PAS top brass a “trade off” – that he will withdraw after finding the best candidates to contest the Marang parliamentary and Rhu Rendang state constituencies which he now holds.
“If they do not like candidates I propose, I will go on looking. I am personally handling this task and will continue until they agree to let me go,” said the 65-year-old father of 13 who became president in 2002 following the death of Datuk Fadzil Noor from Kedah.
He hoped the party and its Pakatan partners would appreciate that he had served as assemblyman for 30 years and was also completing his fourth term as MP. (He lost Marang in 2004 but recaptured the seat in 2008.)
Hadi said he had been in politics a very long time, having joined PAS while still in school at Kampung Rusila in Terengganu, and it was time for him to slow down.
In an interview at the PAS headquarters here, Hadi said: “I am fatigued. As president, I also have to travel the length and breadth of the country. As an elected representative, I have to visit my kawasan (constituency), too.
“Because I have to be away from Terengganu on most days, I feel I have been neglecting my constituents. So it is best that others take over from me,” Hadi said.
While some have suggested that Hadi defend at least one of the seats, he said he preferred to sit out the polls altogether.
“I wish to be allowed to fully focus on party affairs,” he said, adding that he would remain as party president.
Hadi defended the party’s decision to move vice-president Salahuddinayub from kelantan to contest in Johor in the general election.
“We have decided that Salahuddin will contest in Johor where there are very interesting developments. As vice-president, we believe he will be able to work well with our leaders there,” he said.
Hadi said it had not been decided whether Salahuddin, now the Kubang Kerian MP, would contest a state or parliamentary seat or both in Johor.
On the preparedness of Pakatan to face the general election, Hadi said the candidates list was 80% complete.
In a recent interview with Sunday Star, Hadi speaks about the party’s struggles, the PASDAP relationship in Pakatan Rakyat and the general election. Below are excerpts: > It has been 10 years since you took over as president. How do you rate your performance?
I started from the time when dr burhanuddin (al-helmy) was in charge, back in 1964 while still in school. I became vice-president when I was in my 30s and this actually frightened me as I was ahead of so many who were much older. But that was the way the seniors trained the second echelon then. My experience of being involved in the party’s struggles, especially during the bitter period of 1978 in Kelantan, made me much stronger. I’ve tasted victory and defeat, too.
> Is PAS ready for the general election, and will you be surprised if Parliament is, say, dissolved next week?
That is the uniqueness of our general election, the unexpected element. So we have to be prepared. And prepared we have been for quite some time because Barisan Nasional holds the advantage of calling the polls at a time which only suits them and when they feel they are at their strongest. In most other democracies, the election date is set.
> Is there an accord yet on seat distribution among Pakatan Rakyat?
We (Pakatan Rakyat) are about 80% complete. I believe we could even be ahead of our rivals on the selection of candidates. What is most interesting is the change in the racial and religious mindset of the rural and urban electorate. In 2008, PAS candidate Siti Mariah Mahmud won the Kota Raja parliamentary seat although there was a large number of Indian voters there. This is the new political reality in Malaysia.
> Areyouthen ruling out contests between PAS, DAP and PKR candidates? The Kedah MB has openly said PAS will not submit to DAP’S demands.
I hope that will not happen ... we want straight fights between Pakatan and Barisan. This is something we will try to ensure. We have been getting there gradually since the 1999 general election and have gained much headway in this regard. In areas contested by PAS, we will need the backing of DAP and PKR supporters. And PAS will reciprocate when it comes to (supporting) the DAP and PKR candidates.
> Are you determined to pursue cooperation with the DAP, despite the fundamental differences that exist?
It is not just differences between PAS and DAP but within PAS itself. This is the democratic way. We do not simply take disciplinary action against members in PAS or Pakatan who give their views.
> Can you confirm if the Kedah PAS controversy was sparked off by your deputy Mat Sabu’s strong desire to contest there, and that he was backed by the group which was opposed to the MB?
That was an internal strife caused by those who wanted to move too fast towards change, and another (group) which is cautious. The situation in Kedah is different from that in Kelantan, where we are the absolute power. In Kedah, we are leading a coalition which includes the DAP and non-muslims. This is the cause of the conflict. But we (PAS central committee) went to Kedah to speak to the ulama, the young and seniors and managed to calm things down and resolve the issue.
> Will you agree if DAP wants to contest in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, as proof of the inclusiveness of PAS?
There has been research conducted on this by Pakatan’s election unit and also by the respective parties. It showed that it is not just about fielding a candidate, but of ensuring the right mix, party, the candidate and also sentiments of the election machinery in the area. All these have to be carefully weighed to see if victory is possible. In any case, there have been occasions when we have withdrawn a nominee just before Nomination Day. PAS can be flexible.