ALOR SETAR: PAS's choice for prime minister must be someone capable of leading the nation with piety, adherence to Shariah, and a commitment to justice and public welfare.
Its spiritual leader, Datuk Hashim Jasin, said a leader's characteristics should be rooted in righteousness, humility and service to the people.
"The true role of leadership is to avoid sin, govern through justice and welfare, and gradually nurture the people through tarbiah (religious guidance).
"Blessed are those who remain steadfast with the jamaah (congregation), for they will not stray from the right path," he said in his speech at the Ulama Council 64th Muktamar assembly here on Saturday (Sept 13).
Hashim also stressed that the party’s choice for prime minister must be someone capable of steering the nation towards righteousness and public service rooted in charity.
"To seek a leader, we must find those who fear Allah and live by the Shariah and those who prepare themselves to return to Allah," he said.
He said a leader should also be content with the rezeki (sustenance) that has been given to him by Allah.
He said this is how the party should look for such a leader to become the party’s choice for the country's prime ministerial position.
In responding to debates over whether the next prime minister should come from among the ulama or professionals, Hashim said PAS has no shortage of capable figures.
He cited the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s tenure as Kelantan Mentri Besar in the 1990s as proof that integrity and humility could outweigh doubts about leadership credentials.
This was true even when critics included then-prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"For me, it's simple, in PAS we have a lot of candidates, but if I can recall, the late Nik Aziz, when he was appointed as Mentri Besar, many had doubts about him.
"But he continued to be Mentri Besar for Kelantan for 22 years," he said.
Present during the muktamar were PAS Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya, deputy chief Zulkifli Ismail and Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria.
