Nik Aziz backs Hadi for Pekan tilt

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat has backed party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s intention to challenge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the latter’s Pekan constituency, in what will be a clash of the titans in the next elections expected to be called soon. 

“He is the party president, so whatever he has said we will proceed to follow and support for the good of the party and the struggle for Islam. 

“I support this if Hadi (picture) really wants to stand in Pekan in the next elections...,” he told Malay daily Sinar Harian in Kota Baru, Kelantan in a report published today. 

Hadi announced his readiness to challenge the Umno president earlier this week, in remarks that have excited his party faithful and political watchers anticipating keen campaigning in the next elections. 

The veteran PAS president, however, said the decision would be left to the party’s central leadership to decide. “I will heed the party’s decision and will leave it to the party. The party will make the decision... including whether it will direct me to stand in the Pekan parliamentary seat,” he was quoted as telling reporters at the Terengganu PAS Muslimat election fund launch on Friday. 

Abdul Hadi has been active in politics for more than three decades since his entry into the Islamist party in 1978. 

The 65-year-old politician was Terengganu mentri besar for one term from 1999 to 2004, before the state fell back into Barisan Nasional (BN) hands in the 2004 general election. 

Pekan’s incumbent Najib, who is also Malaysia’s sixth prime minister, was the Pahang mentri besar between 1982 and 1986, and was also known as the youngest politician to take on the post at 29 years. 

The Kuala Lipis-born Najib first ran for elections in 1976 and has been an elected representative since then. 

Nik Aziz said that he was not surprised at Hadi’s decision, and the influential Kelantan MB’s backing is likely to mean Hadi is not likely to have any opposition within the party to his candidacy. 

“Whether he wins or not is another matter. What is important is to support him because he has shown courage in standing for a seat held by the PM,” he said.