Polls delay or not, Najib is 'in a mess'

PAS Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has described the delay in general election as a morale booster for Pakatan Rakyat.

Saying he was not sure the reason behind the continued reluctance by prime minister Najib Razak (left) to dissolve the parliament, Nik Aziz said the UMNO president was "in a mess".

"One thing we are sure is that Najib is in a mess,” he said, adding that Najib's fear could be due to growing opposition strength in UMNO bastion Johor as was seen during PAS’s Green Rally to Putrajaya in the state last Friday.

“In Johor, we have never witnessed before so many people. This proves awareness among people there and the existence of a wave of change,” added the Kelantan Menteri Besar.

PAS vice president Mahfuz Omar meanwhile reminded Najib that the five-year mandate given to Barisan Nasional at the Federal level was under his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

As such, Mahfuz said it was wrong to suggest that Najib was 'honouring' the mandate from the people by going for a full term.

Najib had earlier argued that holding snap elections was “shortening the period given by the people” to BN.

"For us, what is important is to show our ability to continue to champion the people," Najib said.

In an about-turn, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who had advised Najib to hold polls after the fasting month, has agreed to the delay.

Prior to this, Najib had hinted that the elections could be called during the Hajj season, when some 30,000 Malaysians on their pilgrimage to Makkah could not vote.

-Harakahdaily