Hadi Criticised for Missing Parliament Session While Remaining Active on Social Media
24 Jan 2026 • 2:00 PM MYT
Kamran
A freelance content creator
WOB
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has come under public scrutiny following his absence from the opening of the 2026 Parliament session on January 19, 2026, an event officiated by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. The criticism emerged after Hadi circulated a lengthy statement outlining his party’s ideological commitment to Islam, reigniting debate over priorities and parliamentary responsibility.
In his statement released on January 21, 2026, Hadi reiterated that the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) positions itself as a movement that seeks to elevate Islam as a governing framework rather than using religion for political gain. He explained that PAS views Islamic politics as inseparable from the broader concept of al-din, which encompasses faith, Islamic law, and moral values. According to him, the party’s struggle is rooted in sacrifice and adherence to Islamic principles, not opportunism.
Hadi further highlighted that PAS’s constitution places Islamic law at the highest level and does not allow compromise on this principle. He contrasted this with other political parties, arguing that PAS stands apart in explicitly embedding Islam as the foundation of its political struggle. He maintained that the party’s pursuit of political power is aimed at establishing Islam as a guiding authority in governance, a stance he claimed has made PAS a target of groups opposed to Islamic influence in politics.
Expanding on this position, Hadi pointed to provisions within the party’s constitution that mandate the elevation of Islam at both state and federal levels. He noted that PAS has repeatedly submitted private motions in Parliament to amend the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which currently limits state powers in fully implementing Sharia law. In his view, these efforts reflect PAS’s long-term objective to strengthen the role of Islamic governance within Malaysia’s constitutional framework.
However, the timing of Hadi’s ideological message drew criticism due to his absence from the formal opening of Parliament earlier in the week. Members of the public questioned why a senior lawmaker would miss a key parliamentary ceremony while simultaneously emphasising leadership, duty, and religious responsibility. The criticism centred on the expectation that elected representatives should prioritise attendance and participation in Parliament as a basic obligation to voters.
The episode has once again placed Hadi and PAS at the centre of a broader discussion on the balance between political ideology and parliamentary accountability, highlighting how public expectations increasingly extend beyond rhetoric to visible commitment within Malaysia’s democratic institutions.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has come under public scrutiny following his absence from the opening of the 2026 Parliament session on January 19, 2026, an event officiated by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. The criticism emerged after Hadi circulated a lengthy statement outlining his party’s ideological commitment to Islam, reigniting debate over priorities and parliamentary responsibility.
In his statement released on January 21, 2026, Hadi reiterated that the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) positions itself as a movement that seeks to elevate Islam as a governing framework rather than using religion for political gain. He explained that PAS views Islamic politics as inseparable from the broader concept of al-din, which encompasses faith, Islamic law, and moral values. According to him, the party’s struggle is rooted in sacrifice and adherence to Islamic principles, not opportunism.
Hadi further highlighted that PAS’s constitution places Islamic law at the highest level and does not allow compromise on this principle. He contrasted this with other political parties, arguing that PAS stands apart in explicitly embedding Islam as the foundation of its political struggle. He maintained that the party’s pursuit of political power is aimed at establishing Islam as a guiding authority in governance, a stance he claimed has made PAS a target of groups opposed to Islamic influence in politics.
Expanding on this position, Hadi pointed to provisions within the party’s constitution that mandate the elevation of Islam at both state and federal levels. He noted that PAS has repeatedly submitted private motions in Parliament to amend the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which currently limits state powers in fully implementing Sharia law. In his view, these efforts reflect PAS’s long-term objective to strengthen the role of Islamic governance within Malaysia’s constitutional framework.
However, the timing of Hadi’s ideological message drew criticism due to his absence from the formal opening of Parliament earlier in the week. Members of the public questioned why a senior lawmaker would miss a key parliamentary ceremony while simultaneously emphasising leadership, duty, and religious responsibility. The criticism centred on the expectation that elected representatives should prioritise attendance and participation in Parliament as a basic obligation to voters.
The episode has once again placed Hadi and PAS at the centre of a broader discussion on the balance between political ideology and parliamentary accountability, highlighting how public expectations increasingly extend beyond rhetoric to visible commitment within Malaysia’s democratic institutions.
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The truth is, as I suspect, he has no (zilch, zero, kosong) respect for Parliament - unless and until PARLIAMENT itself is Islamized.
