Nik Aziz to lead Pakatan?

Sunday, 15 November 2009 14:14

KUALA LUMPUR - Moves are underway to get PAS spiritual advisior Nik Aziz NikMat to head Pakatan Rakyat, when the green light is given by the Registrar of Societies to activate the tripartite alliance as a formal political party.


At the moment it is just a loose political pact comprising PAS, the DAP and the PKR – unlike the 13-party Barisan Nasional coalition which has its own organisation structure and a common logo unifying all the different component parties.

(Image. left, shows a proposed symbol for the Pakatan alliance)

The Pakatan has applied for formal registration as a single entity and there had been whispers about putting former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Zaid Ibrahim as its chairman.

However, Zaid himself had reportedly proposed Nik Aziz to head the new political entity and this suggestion, it is understood, has received much support, especially from the PAS side.

The PKR political bureau member wrote in his blog that Anwar Ibrahim should ‘sacrifice’ himself to make way for Nik Aziz to lead Pakatan.

At the same time, an ntv7 poll, which questioned who should lead the Pakatan, showed that 44% of the respondents favoured Nik Aziz. The other prospects are; Anwar (43%) DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang (17%) and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang (6%).

Anwar, the de facto leader

Anwar, the PKR advisor, is currently regarded the de facto leader of the alliance, formed after PAS, the DAP and PKR made immense inroads in the March 2008 general election to the extent of denying the Barisan a two-third control of Parliament and wresting several states.
Lawyer Zaid and a task force set up under him has been entrusted to look into the contsitutional matters of the new Pakatan Rakyat entity; which has yet to decide on the leadership and common party symbol.

Anwar, however, has dismissed the suggestion for Nik Aziz to helm the new party as just Zaid’s ‘personal view.’

He said: “If it is a serious suggestion, of course, we can deliberate on it and listen to the reasons and arguments. But for now, it is just a personal view.”

He added: “I think Umno will be very happy to see this discussed.”

Anwar said he had spoken about this to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and both had told him the issue never cropped up.


Support from Kelantan

In KOTA BARU, PAS Kelantan women’s wing chief Nor Hashimah Deraman said welcomed the suggestion to make Nik Aziz the Pakatan head.

She said the Kelantan mentri besar had given the state a sterling leadership over the past 20 years and this was evidence of his administrative skills,adding that he is well-liked by all communities.

PAS Kubang Kerian deputy chief Abdul Rahman Yunus said although there were many talented and well-qualified leaders in the Pakatan to helm the coalition, Nik Aziz is undisputedly the one that shines above all.

The state’s Indian community advisor to the Kelantan government, A Tharuman said Nik Aziz is the best-qualified person to head the Pakatan.

He told the PAS-owned newspaper Harakah, that the community would be happy to see Nik Aziz leading the party, adding that the PAS Supporters’ Club was started in the state because they belived in the leadership of the tok guru.

PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali said Nik Aziz is one of the most important ‘icons’ in the country’s political landscape and he supported the move to put the mentri besar at the helm of the Pakatan.

“However, this has to be discussed and to get the aupport of all Pakatan leaders,” he told Harakah.

Zaid also invites Ku Li to be 'striker'

In a related development, it is learnt that Zaid and five others has filed the application to the ROS, wth Zaid listed as the protem chairman.

In his blog, Zaid said he was happy that, for the first time, opposition parties were standing united and forging a common political entity.

He invited former Semangat 46 party chief Tenglu Razaleigh Hamzah to also join the coalition, adding that Pakatan needs several ‘strikers’ in its team

“I am aware that Ku Li still cherishes the dream of rehabilitating Umno; that is to reactivate the ‘original Umno’ that has died.

“It is not wrong for us to collaborate as our objectives are similar; that is to seek reforms in the administration.” - Malaysian Mirror

Last Updated on Sunday, 15 November 2009 22:27