KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Utusan Malaysia took pot shots today at Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s advanced age, saying the elderly PAS spiritual adviser’s decision to run in the coming polls was proof that he was senile and had lost touch with reality.
Making ample reference to Nik Aziz’s age, the Umno-controlled daily claimed that this showed the octogenarian still had a “lust for power” despite holding the post of Kelantan mentri besar for four terms, or more than 21 years.
“Who would’ve thought that despite his advanced age, Nik Aziz (picture) still desires his post. Word is, he has hearing problems and his mind is no longer sharp, so it’s hard to brief him,” the paper said in its Awang Selamat column.
“His statements too are often confusing, and do not reflect his position as mentri besar and PAS spiritual leader. And that is before touching on the question of his administration’s weak performance.”
The editorial noted that even Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad — whom Nik Aziz had criticised for staying in power for too long — knew when to step down despite calls for the Umno strongman to remain.
Dr Mahathir remained firm in his decision to retire from active politics even though “a majority of the people still needed his leadership” and many supporters had tried to change his mind, it pointed out.
“If Dr Mahathir, who isn’t associated with the ulama image, has the confidence to step down and not hold on to his post indefinitely, why can’t Nik Aziz do the same?” it said.
Utusan Malaysia went on to question if Nik Aziz had no confidence in the next generation of PAS leaders, and asked if his successors were “terrible”, “stupid” or too “corrupt” for the job.
“Awang truly pities Nik Aziz. He has lost the ability to reflect and understand reality. Whatever it is, power makes people complacent. If Tok Guru is satisfied, why care? Just carry on,” it said.
On Friday, Nik Aziz, who first stood as a PAS candidate in a 1967 by-election, announced that he would run in the coming general election, rejecting Umno pressure on him to relinquish his spot.
The 81-year-old leader continues to be popular both in the state and nationally, where he is often considered the face of the Islamist party and its brand of Islam.
Umno has tasked federal minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed with wresting back the state of Kelantan, which it lost to PAS in Election 1990.
Both Malay parties have embarked on aggressive campaigns to promote their respective candidates for the state’s top spot ahead of the anticipated general election.
32 comments