The 81-year-old grandfather's eyes lit up when he started talking about Kelantan's first FA Cup win.
"I treat the players like my own children. The Red Warriors worked so hard to earn this trophy. So I gave the state the day off so that the thousands of fans can come home safely after the finals in Kuala Lumpur," says Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat clearly pleased with the football result.
The Kelantanese team, which is also known as the 'East Coast giants', had beaten Sime Darby FC 1-0, to win the trophy after the state's third attempt to be crowned as champions of the 2012 tournament.
Yahoo! Malaysia met the PAS spiritual leader in an exclusive interview at the Kelantan state government office in Kota Darul Naim to learn about his political views and the factors behind this leader's popularity.
The Kelantan Mentri Besar was in a jovial mood that morning, using sporting analogy to describe how contesting in the polls is much like playing football.
"There must be an even playing field and a referee. Twenty-year-old football players must play against same age players, not 40-year-olds against 20-year-olds," he says.
Wearing a long white robe and white turban-style head gear, Nik Aziz also donned a black blazer, with his name, the PAS logo and tagline, "PAS for all" embroidered on it.
Seated on a black leather office chair, Nik Aziz gets comfortable before the interview, and turns on an electronic foot massager to rest his feet on it while answering questions.
"The doctor recommended the foot massager to help strengthen the nerves in my legs. I think it is working," he smiled.
Nik Aziz's face is full of colour as he speaks animatedly about the Kelantanese. A far cry from when he was hospitalised for chest pains in April.
"Kelantanese are people who live comfortably. They live a worry-free life and live with an open mind.
"Since young, Kelantanese have been taught to be that way," says the father of 10, and a grandfather of over 50 grandchildren.
His schedule has been busy since being discharged from the hospital. The leader has been attending various events, from witnessing signing ceremonies for private companies to meet-the-people sessions in Gua Musang.
The Kelantan Menteri Besar, fondly known as "Tok Guru" or teacher, maintains that he is open and accepting on how Kelantanese people lived, how they enjoyed the Kelantanese culture and traditional games, so long as these practices abide by Islamic laws.
Some say, Nik Aziz's explanation of how Kelantanese people live is reflected in his simple way of life. The Chempaka state assemblyman chose to live in his family house in Kampung Pulau Melaka instead of the Menteri Besar's official residence in Kota Bharu.
His team of assistants tell Yahoo! Malaysia that the official residence is usually used for meetings, functions and as a refuge for the many Kelantanese families affected by the annual monsoon floods.
Whenever it is possible, Nik Aziz heads for afternoon or Zohor prayers at the Tok Guru Mosque or Masjid Tok Guru, just next to his family home in Kampung Pulau Melaka, 10 kilometres from the state capital.
He is usually joined by other villagers and the students from the Sekolah Menengah Ugama Darul Anuar or Darul Anuar Religious Secondary School, also located next to the mosque.
He shares spiritual advice on how Muslims should be law-abiding citizens and loyal to Allah, as those who do so will go to heaven while those who go against these beliefs will go to hell.
"The earth is God's creation, so man must not be arrogant. Even as a Menteri Besar, I have to be humble."