“The failure of the state administration at that time was in fact due to the interference of the federal government, which was then led by Mahathir,” he said, quoted by Bernama.
“There were many economic and administrative constraints (when PAS ruled Terengganu) and the interference had affected the state’s development policy at that time,” he said.
Hadi added that Kelantan people’s rights had also been denied following the interference of the federal government in the state administration, especially when Mahathir was prime minister.
“However, Kelantan under PAS has survived and remains strong until today,” he told reporters after delivering a general election talk at PAS headquarters in Kampung Rawai, Kuala Terengganu, yesterday.
Kelantan has been under a PAS government since 1990, while Terengganu was held by the Islamist party for one term, from 1999 to 2004.
Hadi also refuted Mahathir’s claims that Hadi had no political knowledge and was unfit to lead any government. “I have a master’s degree in Islamic political science and that is why the party entrusted me to be its leader.”
He said he obtained his degree at Al-Azhar University in Cairo in 1976.
Hadi said he had decided not to contest the Rhu Rendang state seat in Terengganu at the coming general election so as to focus on the party’s national administration.
“At the same time, I have also been appointed the vice-president of the World Union of Islamic Scholars and, therefore, I do not think it is appropriate for me to contest the Rhu Rendang state seat,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Click here to get live updates throughout the GE14 season