Hadi says would like to die ‘while still in office'

Free Malaysia Today

2 days ago

Marang MP Abdul Hadi Awang has been president of PAS since 2003. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA : PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has hinted at ambitions to retain the top post at the party polls this September.
Hadi, who has been plagued by health issues, said he felt better following a procedure at the National Heart Institute, Utusan Malaysia reported.
'If possible, I want to die while still in office,' he was quoted as saying.
Hadi was asked to comment on rumours that he wished to step down from the post he had held since 2003 due to health issues.
His health had been on the decline for the past few years, necessitating dialysis and several hospital admissions.
Last month, Sinar Harian reported that the seven-term Marang MP had hinted at stepping down as PAS president due to health reasons.
It is understood that Hadi expressed his intention to senior party leaders at a recent retreat in Terengganu.
This fuelled speculation on the party's top two positions ahead of its internal elections.
PAS Dewan Ulama committee member Mokhtar Senik claimed there were calls for Hadi to relinquish the top post, although this was denied by several state-level leaders.
In February, a PAS source told FMT that the party was likely to hold a contest for its top two posts at its elections this year, for the first time in a decade.
Hadi and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man have not been challenged for the posts since the 2015 party polls.