Heaven-bound Nik Aziz 'stuck in the 60s'

This is 2009, where 'people have brains'. But PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is still churning out campaign strategies employed four decades ago, said an Umno leader today.

In view of this, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz hoped that voters in Permatang Pasir would not be swayed by such tactics.

The Umno supreme council member was responding to Nik Aziz's purported ecclesiastic warning that Umno members would not be able to enter paradise because they practiced false Islamic teachings from Palestine.

"Once again, he (Nik Aziz) will use religion to frighten voters. Once again he uses these tactics as he is worried as in Manik Urai the Barisan Nasional almost won.

"This is 2009...Nik Aziz uses 60's campaigning. The people have brains and can think for themselves," he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Last month, PAS came very close to losing the Manek Urai state seat in Kelantan, claiming victory with a mere 65-vote majority.

Nik Aziz however has denied making the statement and accused the media of 'twisting' his words.

According to PAS organ Harakah , the spiritual leader is mulling taking legal action against the media responsible for this.

Muhyiddin: Over to you Fatwa Council

In a related development, Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin has asked the National Fatwa Council to air its views on Nik Aziz's alleged divine condemnation of the ruling party.

Muhyiddin, who is also deputy premier, said the ulama (religious scholars) should study the PAS leader’s statement to determine if it is true according to Islam or otherwise, and if it is the latter, state the punishment.

"My prediction was right. I had said before there will be new fatwas (from the opposition) because we are facing a by-election," he added.

Stating that although he understood Islam, Muhyiddin added that it would be better for the fatwa council to look into the matter as his statements would have political connotations.

Furthermore, he said it would be best if the council could come up with a statement as soon as possible.

Next Tuesday, Umno candidate Rohaizat Othman would be facing PAS’ Mohd Salleh Man in the contest for the state seat in Penang.

The Permatang Pasir seat in Penang fell vacant when three-term PAS assemblyperson Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman died of an illness on July 31.

Permatang Pasir has been the sole PAS seat in Penang since 1999.