The Marang MP said the decision was also made to protect the safety and security of the individual who might be named.

“There are dangers if people know who the prime ministerial candidate is. They could be bribed with gold or have drugs planted in their car, for example,” he said while debating the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“If that happens, the candidate could be disqualified from contesting. This is something everyone must understand.”

Hadi said PAS’s main priority now was to ensure that the party, together with the Perikatan Nasional coalition, won the next general election first.

“What’s important to us is choosing a candidate with integrity and ensuring that person wins the election.

“We haven’t even won the election yet, but people are already asking about the prime ministerial candidate,” he said.

The question of PN’s prime ministerial candidate or “poster boy” for the 16th general election has long been a point of contention among its component parties.

In November last year, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin denied that Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin had been confirmed as PN’s official pick, insisting that PAS should lead the coalition.

Still, several leaders from Bersatu and Gerakan have continued to back Muhyiddin as PN’s preferred choice for prime minister.

At Bersatu’s annual general assembly last month, Muhyiddin was named the party’s 11th prime ministerial candidate.

However, on Oct 1, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said his party had not nominated anyone from PN, including Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, for the post.