Nik Aziz resigns?
Arfaeza A AzizPublished: Nov 23, 2004 5:50 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat has resigned from all his political positions, according to party sources.
Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat has resigned from all his political positions, according to party sources.
They claimed that the 73-year-old leader had tendered his resignation to the party before he left for Mecca to perform his umrah (pilgrimage) on Nov 17.
The sources added that the party will make an official announcement on the matter upon his return two weeks from now.
However, PAS leaders and Kelantan officials have brushed aside this rumour.
"As far as I am concerned, the party has not received any resignation letters from Tuan Guru (Nik Aziz)," said party secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa when contacted.
He added that party officials who resign must submit their papers to him by virtue of his post.
Kelantan state executive councillor Mohd Amar Abdullah also claimed that the resignation is not on the state's official agenda at this point of time.
"Tuan Guru will not resign during this short period. He expressed his intention (to do so) before the elections but we talked him out of it and he agreed to continue to lead us. Since then the topic has not cropped up," he said.
State reshuffle on the cards
Asked why would anyone want to spread false rumours on this issue, Amar claimed that Umno Kelantan could be behind it in order to create uneasiness among the state leaders.
"Umno would love it if Tuan Guru leaves because he is their biggest hurdle. They believe that it would easier for them to attack us," he said.
On the other hand, a Kelantan politician, who declined to be named, believes that it is only a matter of time before the resignation is announced.
"During his (Nik Aziz) second hospitalisation following his major heart operation, his doctors advised him not to work too hard.
"He was told that his health condition did not permit him to face severe stress and that is why he has to contemplate leaving as soon as possible," he said.
The politician also predicted a major reshuffle in the Kelantan state line-up over the next six months.
He said Deputy Menteri Besar Ahmad Yaakob looks all set to take over the state leadership.
"I think we can safely predict Ahmad Yaakob to take over the No 1 slot. He has already taken most of the menteri besar's responsibilities right now," he added.
Nik Aziz vital for PAS Kelantan
The politician also revealed that efforts are being made to persuade Nik Aziz to remain as state commissioner since the party knows he plays a key role in ensuring that PAS remains in power in Kelantan.
"We need to assure the people of Kelantan that his retirement will not mean he won't have any roles in the state politics. He does not have to do all the work as it can be done by his subordinates.
"What is important is that we must show that he is still an integral part of Kelantan which is a fact," he stressed.
As for the deputy mentri besar post should Ahmad move up, a party source said three names have cropped up to date: Mohd Amar, Husam Musa (right), and Takiyuddin Hassan.
If seniority is the main priority, the sources said Takiyuddin, who is the state assemblyperson for Bunut Payong, would be the best candidate.
"I believe if it is left to the party at the federal level, Husam would be the popular choice. But I think that (choosing Husam) will not go down well with the old guards who dislike his strong approach," he said.
He also believes that Husam, a state executive councillor, would reject the post as he had done before.
"Husam prefers to go to the federal level and make noise in parliament. He believes he would be more effective there. He finds it easier to work alone which is one of his weakness at the state level," he said.
'Back-up' team is ready
Meanwhile, Mohd Amar, who has been described as the best man to fill Nik Aziz's shoes, said it doesn't matter who is chosen and state officials would extend their best cooperation to the individual.
The politician, who earlier denied that Nik Aziz has resigned, conceded that it would be a great loss to the state if the veteran politician steps down but added that the 'back-up team' is ready to face such an eventuality.
"Of course no one can totally replace Tuan Guru because a great leader like him comes once in a lifetime, but I believe we can follow his footsteps. Collectively I think we can fill the vacuum," he added.
They claimed that the 73-year-old leader had tendered his resignation to the party before he left for Mecca to perform his umrah (pilgrimage) on Nov 17. The sources added that the party will make an official announcement on the matter upon his return two weeks from now.
However, PAS leaders and Kelantan officials have brushed aside this rumour.
"As far as I am concerned, the party has not received any resignation letters from Tuan Guru (Nik Aziz)," said party secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa when contacted.
He added that party officials who resign must submit their papers to him by virtue of his post.
Kelantan state executive councillor Mohd Amar Abdullah also claimed that the resignation is not on the state's official agenda at this point of time.
"Tuan Guru will not resign during this short period. He expressed his intention (to do so) before the elections but we talked him out of it and he agreed to continue to lead us. Since then the topic has not cropped up," he said.
State reshuffle on the cards
Asked why would anyone want to spread false rumours on this issue, Amar claimed that Umno Kelantan could be behind it in order to create uneasiness among the state leaders.
"Umno would love it if Tuan Guru leaves because he is their biggest hurdle. They believe that it would easier for them to attack us," he said.
On the other hand, a Kelantan politician, who declined to be named, believes that it is only a matter of time before the resignation is announced.
"During his (Nik Aziz) second hospitalisation following his major heart operation, his doctors advised him not to work too hard. "He was told that his health condition did not permit him to face severe stress and that is why he has to contemplate leaving as soon as possible," he said.
The politician also predicted a major reshuffle in the Kelantan state line-up over the next six months.
He said Deputy Menteri Besar Ahmad Yaakob looks all set to take over the state leadership.
"I think we can safely predict Ahmad Yaakob to take over the No 1 slot. He has already taken most of the menteri besar's responsibilities right now," he added.
Nik Aziz vital for PAS Kelantan
The politician also revealed that efforts are being made to persuade Nik Aziz to remain as state commissioner since the party knows he plays a key role in ensuring that PAS remains in power in Kelantan.
"We need to assure the people of Kelantan that his retirement will not mean he won't have any roles in the state politics. He does not have to do all the work as it can be done by his subordinates.
"What is important is that we must show that he is still an integral part of Kelantan which is a fact," he stressed.
As for the deputy mentri besar post should Ahmad move up, a party source said three names have cropped up to date: Mohd Amar, Husam Musa (right), and Takiyuddin Hassan. If seniority is the main priority, the sources said Takiyuddin, who is the state assemblyperson for Bunut Payong, would be the best candidate.
"I believe if it is left to the party at the federal level, Husam would be the popular choice. But I think that (choosing Husam) will not go down well with the old guards who dislike his strong approach," he said.
He also believes that Husam, a state executive councillor, would reject the post as he had done before.
"Husam prefers to go to the federal level and make noise in parliament. He believes he would be more effective there. He finds it easier to work alone which is one of his weakness at the state level," he said.
'Back-up' team is ready
Meanwhile, Mohd Amar, who has been described as the best man to fill Nik Aziz's shoes, said it doesn't matter who is chosen and state officials would extend their best cooperation to the individual. The politician, who earlier denied that Nik Aziz has resigned, conceded that it would be a great loss to the state if the veteran politician steps down but added that the 'back-up team' is ready to face such an eventuality.
"Of course no one can totally replace Tuan Guru because a great leader like him comes once in a lifetime, but I believe we can follow his footsteps. Collectively I think we can fill the vacuum," he added.
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