KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang would rather see the party’s new recruit Tan Sri Annuar Musa hold a federal role than a state one, Sinar Harian reported today.

Annuar, a former Umno veteran who joined the Islamist party last month, has been nominated to be a Kelantan state election candidate next month.

"That we leave to the Kelantan PAS leadership.

"However, we are more agreeable for him to play a national role, he’s a major leader, not at state level but a greater level,” Hadi was quoted as telling reporters after meeting with Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Marang, Terengganu last night.

The Marang MP was also reported saying that Annuar had disclosed that he would prefer not to contest despite being listed as a candidate.

The news report did not indicate which state seat Annuar has been nominated for.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan confirmed that Annuar had been shortlisted as a candidate for one of the six state elections, without disclosing which constituency, and added that the former Keterah MP has asked to be considered the party’s last choice.

Annuar was sacked from Umno last December, alongside two Perlis Wanita Umno division chiefs, allegedly for insulting the party and campaigning against it in the November general election.