MARANG, July 5 -- Those close to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang have denied claims he plans to step down from his post amid his health woes, saying such speculation has only come from outside the party.

Utusan Malaysia cited Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman, who previously served as Abdul Hadi's political secretary, saying the rumours had surfaced ahead of the party's 71st Muktamar or annual congress in September but were unfounded.

"We haven't heard anything about it internally. It's just talk from outsiders," he was quoted saying.

"Even the deputy president has addressed this. Those of us close to him, even his family, have heard nothing," he added, referring to Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Tuan Ibrahim had recently s...