PAS still struggling with Nik Omar issue
By Oleh Mohamad Bakri Darus
KOTA BHARU, May 3 (Bernama) -- Campaigning for the 14th General Election (GE14) enters its sixth day today, but the Kelantan PAS is still struggling with the issue on the nomination of the party's former spiritual leader, the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's second son, Nik Omar as PKR-Amanah candidate for the Chempaka state seat.
Nik Omar, 53, was subsequently sacked as PAS member after nomination ended last Saturday.
The action by Nik Omar, the administrator and head of Madrasah Darul Anuar, a religious school founded by his family in Pulau Melaka, is considered as not only going against the family's staunch support for PAS and its struggle, but also shakes the confidence of PAS supporters for the party.
"Nik Omar's action has opened the eyes of PAS supporters who have all the while believe that only those with them (PAS) go to heaven," said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki when asked for his comment on the matter.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who the PAS candidate for the Kota Bharu parliamentary seat, said he believed Nik Omar's action would not affect the people's support for PAS, based on the party's track record in helming the state for the past 28 years.
The people's votes depend on their support for the party and not the candidate, although Nik Omar was a PAS member, he said.
Pakatan Harapan, led by Amanah vice-president Husam Musa in Kelantan, seems to be getting the political mileage with Nik Omar's presence at its ceramah (political talks).
Meanwhile, Kelantan Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed continues to drive momentum for the people to support the BN candidates to so that changes could be brought to Kelantan which had be left behind in development compared with other states.
The 'Tok Pa team? founded by Mustapa is committed to mobilise the Kelantan BN election machinery to ensure victory for its candidates.
"We have built this momentum since the 13th general election (2013) when BN was able to increase the parliamentary seats in Kelantan from two (won in the 12th general election) to five , and for the state seats, from six to 12," said Mustapa.
The Kelantan BN's strength is contributed through continuous service for the people, not only by its elected representatives, but also UMNO division leaders in the state.
Besides defending its five parliamentary seats ? Gua Musang, Jeli, Tanah Merah, Ketereh and Machang, BN is focusing on capturing three more parliamentary seats, namely Pasir Puteh, Bachok and Kuala Krai, as well as to win 32 of the 45 state seats, including retaining the 12 seats it won in the last general election.
Together with the 'Tok Pa Team' are the incumbent MPs who are defending their seats - UMNO Information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa (Ketereh), Tanah Merah UMNO division leader Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub (Machang) and Gua Musang UMNO leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Gua Musang).
Mustapa, popularly known as 'Tok Pa' in Kelantan, is defending the Jeli parliamentary seat.
Their experience, especially that of veteran politician Tengku Razaleigh, who has been the Gua Musang Member of Parliament for more than 40 years, provides the 'tonic' for Kelantan BN to return to power in Kelantan.
A political analyst from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia's (UIAM) Communication Department, Professor Datuk Seri Dr Syed Arabi Idid sees the campaign in Kelantan as still being dominated by PAS and BN.
Syed Arabi, who is head of national special project (Media, Democracy and Electoral System) , National Council of Professors, said the 'friendly' approach by PAS towards BN in its campaign made it more convenient for both parties to focus on introducing their candidates and promoting their manifesto.
A survey by Bernama found that campaign by contesting political parties is held in small groups, as well as through the social media, such as Facebook and Whatsapp.
-- BERNAMA
