KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 ― The Prime Minister’s Office announced today that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has been appointed as the prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East.

In a brief statement, it said that the post holds the same level as a minister.

The president of the Islamist party and Marang MP was conspicuously absent in Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s Cabinet.

He later said then he did not wish to take up a Cabinet post as he wishes to lead his party to monitor the conduct of the federal government, especially party members who were appointed ministers and deputies.

In a separate Facebook post today, Hadi thanked Muhyiddin for trusting him with the post.

"God willing, I will use some experience I have to help the Malaysian government to lead the agenda of the ‘ummah’ unity and world peace,” he said, using the Arabic term that usually refers to the Muslim community.