For Nik Abduh, it's late father's seat or nothing - PAS sources

 

After eight years, the Chempaka state seat in Kelantan may make its way back into the hands of the family of the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Nik Aziz’s son, Nik Abduh (above), is being touted as a possible candidate for the seat in the upcoming state polls according to PAS sources.

According to several sources, the decision was made at a Kelantan PAS meeting last night.

One source said that the state party leadership had offered the Kota Lama and Kijang seats to Nik Abduh, but the latter only had eyes for Chempaka.

“He (Nik Abduh) was firm that he only wanted to contest in Chempaka and did not care if was not fielded if he was not given that seat,” the source told Malaysiakini.

Nik Aziz held the Chempaka seat from 1986 - when it was known as Semut Api - until he passed away in 2015.

The seat has since been held by PAS’ Ahmad Fathan Mahmood.

An attempt by Nik Abduh’s brother - Nik Omar - to win Chempaka in 2018 under an Amanah flag was unsuccessful.

While most sources Malaysiakini spoke to indicated or claimed that Nik Abduh would be fielded in Chempaka, one source said the decision is not yet final.

“Nik Abduh’s name was floated as the Chempaka, but it is not settled yet as there are strong objections from the local PAS division.

“We can only wait for the answer when the candidates are unveiled tomorrow night,” the source said.

PAS and Perikatan Nasional will be announcing their candidates for Kelantan tomorrow night.

Nik Abduh was previously the Pasir Mas MP from 2013 to 2018 and later the Bachok MP from 2018 to 2022.

He was not fielded as a parliamentary candidate in the last general election. - Mkini