Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob wants Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to be retained as PAS president, saying that Abdul Hadi was capable of performing well in any situation.

Ahmad, who is also PAS deputy spiritual leader, said the party still had to retain Abdul Hadi as the president despite all demands to have him replaced.

"...the post need not be contested. The position of president as the second ulama leader (in party hierarchy) is very apt to lead a party capable of facing all situation at the state, national and international levels," Ahmad said after launching the state-level 'Membangun Bersama Islam' Silver Jubilee celebration here Saturday.

Also present were his deputy Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and State Assembly Speaker Datuk Abdullah Ya'kub.

Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said none of the party leaders and members had voiced out intention to challenge Abdul Hadi for the president's post at the party poll scheduled for June.

On the tabling of amendments to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code II Enactment 1993 at the State Assembly sitting scheduled to begin on Monday, Ahmad said he was confident that the support for PAS from the non-Muslims would not decline with the tabling of the amendments.

"Non-Muslims' support in Kelantan, especially in Kota Baharu is ovewhelming and they understand...I think the support will not decline. In fact, more will show their support," he said.

On Chempaka state by-election, the menteri besar said PAS' candidate had received good response from the voters so far.

"We hope as we reach the polling day, voters who are residing in other states will return to cast their votes, as the polling day will be held during school holiday," he said.

The by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, 84, of prostate cancer on Feb 12.

The by-election will see a five-corner fight between PAS candidate Ahmad Fathan Mahmood@Mahamad and four independent candidates, namely businessman Aslah Mamat, 64; former Kelantan Perkasa vice-president Sharif Mahmood, 59; Pertubuhan Keturunan Paduka Raja Cik Siti Wan Kembang president Fadzillah Hussin, 55, and businessman Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary, 48.

Polling day is set on March 22.