Anwar urges Hadi to contest next GE

Pakatan Rakyat is not too eager to let go of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who reportedly told a Malay language tabloid that he would not be contesting in the 13th general election.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Abdul Hadi plays a "critical role" in Pakatan Rakyat, and had helped to bring the coalition to where it is today.

The loose coalition of DAP, PAS and PKR, had managed to seize five states from BN in the 2008 polls, although it lost Perak later, following the departure of three assemblypersons from Pakatan.

Anwar, who is Permatang Pauh MP, said Hadi is very much needed in the team for the coming general election, which although not due until 2013, is speculated to be only a matter of months away.

"I will meet him soon to discuss the matter and I will urge him to stay," he replied, when asked to comment on Abdul Hadi's reported statement inSinar Harian.

"His contribution like other (veteran leaders) including DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang (left) is much needed in the coming election," he added.

PAS in crisis?

Umno leaders have jumped to the conclusion that Abdul Hadi's purported intention to step down indicates that there is trouble in PAS, following the sacking of Selangor executive councillor Hasan Ali.

Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee deputy chief Awang Adek Hussein, for example, quickly concluded that this meant something was wrong in the party.

Awang Adek said the former Terengganu menteri besar's statement was "extraordinary" and showed that the party he leads is facing a severe crisis.