PAS conveys gratitude to IJN for Hadi's successful heart procedure but dead silent on succession planning

Focus Malaysia

4 hours ago

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan has rightly thanked specialists and healthcare workers at the National Heart Institute (IJN) for successfully carrying out the necessary treatment procedure on party president Tan Sri Hadi Awang without any complications yesterday (June 17).
'We greatly appreciate the expertise, efficiency and high commitment on the part of IJN,' applauded the Kota Bahru MP and Opposition chief whip in a statement this morning (June 18).
'Finally, we call on PAS members in particular and all citizens in general to pray together so that our country and all its people will always be in prosperity under God's protection from all disasters, calamities or epidemics, Insya-Allah.'
Earlier yesterday (June 17), Hadi's son Dr Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi had revealed on a Facebook post that the procedure conducted on the 77-year-old seven-term Marang MP has been successful.
Interestingly, all PAS branches in Terengganu were even instructed to hold a solat hajat to pray for the well-being of the cleric on the eve of his heart procedure.
'Let us together pray that Allah SWT facilitates all treatment matters and grants a complete recovery to the beloved Tuan Guru of the people,' Terengganu PAS secretary Datuk Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah had pointed out in a statement.
According to Hadi's political secretary and Tumpat MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, there will be no visitors in the near future on the advice of the IJN doctors.
Amid all the brouhaha over Hadi's health condition, it is perhaps most intriguing that there has been a deafening silence on succession planning within the Islamist party given it is no more a secret that the former's health has been deteriorating in recent times.
In fact, PAS vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar stressed that Hadi's leadership and ideas of are still needed in facing current political challenges and in strengthening the party's future direction.
The Terengganu Menteri Besar further credited the former Prime Minister's special envoy to the Middle East for PAS' two greatest victories – enabling the party to emerge as one of the two largest parties in Malaysia by winning almost 200 seats at state elections and having the most parliamentary seats in the 15th General Election (GE15).
'His leadership and ideas are very much needed in continuing the party's work because this is not just a political struggle but it goes beyond that,' acknowledged Samsuri who is also the Kemaman MP.
'I don't think there is any question of Tok Guru's resignation. In fact, from the grassroots level to the highest leadership, we are praying for his health to return to normal.'
The only clear indication for now is that should anything untoward happens to Hadi, the top echelon of PAS will still be helmed by an individual with an ulama (religious scholar) inkling as opposed to technocrats like Samsuri who is an aerospace engineering background.
'PAS leaders cannot just rely on the rule of law but must also understand the political climate. This is not about rejecting the professionals/technocrats but the party's leadership must come from the ulama rank-and-file,' asserted PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin.
'In the event of a vacancy, among the figures best known to the president is his deputy Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. However, the question of who will take over is not a pressing issue as long as Hadi is still willing and able to lead.' – June 18, 2025