Hadi: Majority still support me

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang claims that he still commands unwavering support from the grassroots despite a recent wave of murmurs after he was blamed for mooting talks on a unity government with Umno.

“I still enjoy undivided support. All divisions, except for one, backed me (during the party’s recent seminar in Shah Alam) to helm the party.

“This shows that I still the enjoy the support of the majority,” said the PAS stalwart during a high tea and dialogue session at a restaurant in Rusila, near here, on Friday.

Abdul Hadi said he had no problem if PAS members wanted him to exit but the ground sentiment proved otherwise during the seminar.

On his relationship with PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, the party’s firebrand leader replied that their bond was still strong.

“He too endorsed me as the president,” he said.

Abdul Hadi said the Kelantan Mentri Besar also accepted all the resolutions passed during the seminar and agreed to work collectively to solve any problems.

“Yes, there was some friction initially (when the issue of working closely with Umno cropped up) but I moved in swiftly to patch it up,” he said in reference to the difference of opinion with Nik Aziz.

“We are not like Barsian Nasional where disputes among leaders prolong without effective arbitration.”

He also warned troublemakers that the party’s disciplinary board would not hesitate to strip them of their membership.

On reports that academics and bloggers were of the view that his popularity was dwindling, Abdul Hadi reiterated: “We don’t need the opinions of outsiders.”

However, he added that the party leadership welcomed constructive suggestions.