Nik Aziz contrite over ‘Jakun’ pejorative

The PAS leader pleaded ignorance over the existence of Jakuns. — file pic

KOTA BARU, Feb 14 — Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today issued an open apology to the Jakun Orang Asli community for using the “Jakun” word to describe party hoppers.

Speaking to reporters after a receiving a protest memorandum from a delegation of 24 Orang Asli on encroachment of Orang Asli land at his office here, the PAS spiritual leader said he had not been aware that a Jakun tribe existed when he made the remarks about a year ago.

“Insya Allah (God willing), I can control my words in future so that I do not hurt others. Islam forbids us from using hurtful words on others,” he said.

The remarks by Nik Aziz were reported in local newspapers on February 18 last year.

The mentri besar had issued the remarks in the wake of Parti Keadilan Rakyar’s Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim quitting the party to become a Barisan Nasional-friendly Independent MP.

Meanwhile, delegation leader Shafie Abdullah, the chairman of Pusat Jaringan Perkampungan Orang Asli Semenanjung, a non-governmental organisation serving Orang Asli interests, said he accepted the apology but wanted the state government to be more concerned about the plight of Orang Asli in Kelantan. — Bernama