'Missing' Nasha emerges in Manek Urai
Kuek Ser Kuang Keng & Hafiz YatimPublished: Jul 11, 2009 3:27 AM | Updated: Jul 12, 2009 9:05 AM
PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who disappeared from public view for three weeks, has finally made an appearance today in Manek Urai - the Kelantan state seat which is facing a crucial by-election in three days.
PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who disappeared from public view for three weeks, has finally made an appearance today in Manek Urai - the Kelantan state seat which is facing a crucial by-election in three days.
Nasharuddin, who was accompanied by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, performed prayers at Masjid Sungai Peria at about 8am.
The ‘show of unity’ between the two leaders is poignant as Nik Aziz had last month told the party No 2 to quit following disagreement on holding talks with arch-rival Umno. Nik Aziz had however retracted his call five days later.
In an act of respect, Nasharuddin was seen kissing the hand of the spiritual leader. Both of them, joined by others, had breakfast and Nasharuddin went out of his way to pour water for Nik Aziz to wash his hand.
At a press conference this morning, Nasharuddin confirmed that he was initially banned from campaigning in Manek Urai by Kelantan PAS.
However, there appeared to be a change of heart later and he was urged by Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, to help campaign in the by-election.
“There was a decision from the (Kelantan) state liaison committee and I accepted it. (Later) I was called by (PAS president Abdul) Hadi (Awang) and Nik Aziz to come down to Manek Urai as there were many misconceptions (about the ban).”
According to Nasharuddin, he was unable to be in Manek Urai until today as he had to undergo an operation for an intestinal ailment at Hospital Serdang.
Nasharuddin said he would be campaigning in Manek Urai before the voters go to the ballot box on Tuesday.
Since the by-election was announced, Nasharuddin had been conspicuous by his absence, leading to questions being raised on his whereabouts.
Even on the nomination day last Monday, the Bachok MP failed to put in an appearance.
Declines to comment on unity talks
Nasharuddin also apologised to the media for not responding to their calls because he was undergoing hospital treatment.
He conceded that his silence could have resulted in the public having a negative perception of him.
Nasharuddin believed that the Manek Urai by-election will be determined by local issues and as such his ‘ban’ by Kelantan PAS will not affect the outcome.
But when asked about his controversial proposal to hold ‘unity talks’ with Umno, Nasharuddin declined to comment.
However he said he was confident PAS as a 56-year-old party, was mature enough to handle "new challenges" within the party.
“I always stress that the principles will always remain the same but the only things that tend to change are methodology and approaches.”
Nasharuddin plans to hold a press conference in Kuala Lumpur to clarify a number of key issues, including his ‘unity talk’ proposal with Umno.
“I will give a detailed explanation after the by-election”.
About-turn by Nasharuddin
However, in an about-turn, the PAS deputy president later denied that he was banned from coming to Kelantan.
Instead, Nasharuddin said he was asked by his doctors to rest following his operation.
“I was advised by doctors to take a break for a couple of days following the surgery," he told journalists.
"However, being a politician I have to be here," he said, adding he would return to Kuala Lumpur tonight.
At the press conference which was held at 4pm with Abdul Hadi, the party president said he did not believe Kelantan PAS had issued a directive to ban Nasharuddin from Manek Urai.
"The truth is that he has an ailment and he had minor surgery performed on him on Thursday," said Abdul Hadi.
When asked whether his deputy was being sidelined by Kelantan PAS, Abdul Hadi said "this is like a question in the courtroom".
"We want news on the by-election, not about Nasharuddin," he said.
VIDEO | 3 mins
Nasharuddin, who was accompanied by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, performed prayers at Masjid Sungai Peria at about 8am.The ‘show of unity’ between the two leaders is poignant as Nik Aziz had last month told the party No 2 to quit following disagreement on holding talks with arch-rival Umno. Nik Aziz had however retracted his call five days later.
In an act of respect, Nasharuddin was seen kissing the hand of the spiritual leader. Both of them, joined by others, had breakfast and Nasharuddin went out of his way to pour water for Nik Aziz to wash his hand.
At a press conference this morning, Nasharuddin confirmed that he was initially banned from campaigning in Manek Urai by Kelantan PAS.
However, there appeared to be a change of heart later and he was urged by Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, to help campaign in the by-election.
“There was a decision from the (Kelantan) state liaison committee and I accepted it. (Later) I was called by (PAS president Abdul) Hadi (Awang) and Nik Aziz to come down to Manek Urai as there were many misconceptions (about the ban).”
According to Nasharuddin, he was unable to be in Manek Urai until today as he had to undergo an operation for an intestinal ailment at Hospital Serdang.Nasharuddin said he would be campaigning in Manek Urai before the voters go to the ballot box on Tuesday.
Since the by-election was announced, Nasharuddin had been conspicuous by his absence, leading to questions being raised on his whereabouts.
Even on the nomination day last Monday, the Bachok MP failed to put in an appearance.
Declines to comment on unity talks
Nasharuddin also apologised to the media for not responding to their calls because he was undergoing hospital treatment.
He conceded that his silence could have resulted in the public having a negative perception of him.
Nasharuddin believed that the Manek Urai by-election will be determined by local issues and as such his ‘ban’ by Kelantan PAS will not affect the outcome.
But when asked about his controversial proposal to hold ‘unity talks’ with Umno, Nasharuddin declined to comment.However he said he was confident PAS as a 56-year-old party, was mature enough to handle "new challenges" within the party.
“I always stress that the principles will always remain the same but the only things that tend to change are methodology and approaches.”
Nasharuddin plans to hold a press conference in Kuala Lumpur to clarify a number of key issues, including his ‘unity talk’ proposal with Umno.
“I will give a detailed explanation after the by-election”.
About-turn by Nasharuddin
However, in an about-turn, the PAS deputy president later denied that he was banned from coming to Kelantan.
Instead, Nasharuddin said he was asked by his doctors to rest following his operation.“I was advised by doctors to take a break for a couple of days following the surgery," he told journalists.
"However, being a politician I have to be here," he said, adding he would return to Kuala Lumpur tonight.
At the press conference which was held at 4pm with Abdul Hadi, the party president said he did not believe Kelantan PAS had issued a directive to ban Nasharuddin from Manek Urai.
"The truth is that he has an ailment and he had minor surgery performed on him on Thursday," said Abdul Hadi.When asked whether his deputy was being sidelined by Kelantan PAS, Abdul Hadi said "this is like a question in the courtroom".
"We want news on the by-election, not about Nasharuddin," he said.
VIDEO | 3 mins
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