Nik Aziz tells Nasharuddin to join Umno

KOTA BARU, 17 June 2009: PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has told Nasharuddin Mat Isa to quit as PAS deputy president and Bachok Member of Parliament (MP) and join Umno if he persisted with the unity government agenda.

Nik Aziz “The unity government issue did not come from PAS but is an idea floated by certain individuals. The matter was never in black and white as a PAS agenda or that of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR),” Nik Aziz said.

“If it’s true that Nasharuddin is agreeable [to the unity government], then he had better join Umno, [and] resign from his posts as deputy [president of PAS] and [MP] in Bachok,” the Kelantan menteri besar told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting here today.

Nik Aziz said the proposal on a unity government was something tossed around by “Umno’s puppets” to create confusion within PAS and the PR.

Nik Aziz was commenting on a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday that he believed PAS was sincere about having a unity government, as proposed by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang recently.

Najib had said he was open-minded and was willing to consider any suggestion by PAS if it would bring good to the country.

Nasharuddin, in response, said PAS was open to discussions on unity because the party saw opportunities to make good suggestions to the government to help resolve the political and economic crises.

Nik Aziz said he regretted Nasharuddin’s stand because PAS in Kelantan had accepted him as a candidate for the Bachok seat in the 2008 general election.

Nasharuddin He said PAS and the PR had fallen into Umno’s trap over the unity government agenda, which had caused disunity among them.

“The Umno people are now rejoicing because PAS is splitting and the PR is splitting,” he said.

Nik Aziz also said if the unity government agenda were to truly materialise, the Barisan Nasional should appoint leaders from the PR as ministers.

“If everyone agrees, PAS [leaders] become ministers, DAP [leaders] become ministers and Keadilan (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) [leaders] become ministers,” he said.

Nik Aziz also said he would be suing Utusan Malaysia for defamation over its report on 15 June which quoted him as saying that his advice must be heeded.

“I categorically deny using the word ‘must’,” he said, adding that it was a lie and a move to humiliate him so that society and the mufti would hate him.

He said he had engaged a lawyer to institute the suit. — Bernama

See also:
Party will determine Nasharuddin’s position