Nik Aziz: PAS’ future with Pakatan, not BN

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

June 10, 2010

KOTA BARU, June 9 — Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat tonight set the pace for the PAS annual general assembly, stressing to members that they should never accept Barisan Nasional (BN) as political partners.

In his opening address of the PAS AGM here, the party spiritual chief said that PAS needed to work hard to strengthen Pakatan Rakyat (PR) as an alternative coalition to BN.

“Pakatan Rakyat needs to work together. We cannot cooperate with those who encourage various evils in society,” said Nik Aziz.

The Kelantan Mentri Besar said that the political history of the country was proof of the “painful” lesson that PAS had learnt when it had joined BN.

“Back then when we joined BN for the purpose of unity, but it was a bitter lesson for us.

“PAS almost crumbled because of unity attempts with BN. There is a lesson to be learnt from this...BN is an unfaithful partner,” said Nik Aziz.

The PAS spiritual leader’s stern reminder to party members comes amid rife speculation that top party leaders have been engaging in unity talks with long-time political foes Umno.

Earlier today, in an interview with The Malaysian Insider, Nik Aziz dismissed any possibility of unity talks with Umno.

The PAS spiritual advisor has vehemently denied that there are still attempts coming from within PAS to reach out to Umno based on “Malay and Islamic” interests.

“Absolutely not. There is no way that PAS would even consider unity talks with Umno,” said Nik Aziz.

In the exclusive interview, the Kelantan Mentri Besar claimed that PAS and Umno could not see eye-to-eye because the principles of both parties were vastly different.

“Umno rejects Islam. Umno put fear into people because PAS was talking about the concept of an Islamic nation.

“But for Umno, it’s a case of Malays first (Ketuanan Melayu) versus PAS’ Islam first (Ketuanan Islam),” said Nik Aziz to The Malaysian Insider.

Using the results of the Sibu by-election as a barometer, the 79-year old politician said Sibu was proof that “BN had been rejected by non-Malays.”

The Kelantan PAS commissioner claimed that BN’s base support right now are the Malays.

“PAS, as an alternative to Umno has to be active in getting Malay support. Our priority is secure Malay support,” said Nik Aziz.

Besides that he stressed that PAS can use its increasing popularity to “introduce Islam to non-Muslims.”

“Malaysians have to know that Islam does not belong to the Malays. The PAS Supporters’ Congress is a gift from Allah.

“PAS needs to move forward to introduce Islam as a way of life.”

Nik Aziz also said that the PAS Women’s Wing needed to do more to attract more women members.