Nik Aziz's speech: No surprises, but he offers May 13 message

There were no surprises in PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s speech this morning in Kelantan, despite widespread speculation that the Kelantan menteri besar would make a “startling revelation”.

Instead, he only commented on unity among the races when recalling the May 13, 1969 tragedy involving clashes between the Malays and the Chinese.

Prior to this, there had been rumours that Nik Aziz would make an “important statement” and would announce this to Malaysians in order to strengthen national unity.

This had been widely-circulated in the cyberspace including blogs and the website administered by the menteri besar’s office itself.

The speculation was linked with an on-going intensive campaign for the PAS muktamar (annual general assembly) to be held from June 3 to 7.

Nik Aziz who has obtained one nomination to contest against incumbent president Abdul Hadi Awang, did not mention his candidacy during the speech.

Although it has been reported that the spiritual leader will not contest, there is still high anticipation as some see this as part of a “grassroots protest” against Abdul Hadi.

Abdul Hadi’s leadership has been under scrutiny as it tends to contrast with Nik Aziz’s views, especially when it boils down to the issue of working with Umno to form a unity government.

'Promises just a drama and magic show'

In his six-minute speech, the spiritual leader noted that the May 13 tragedy has not taught any lessons to the government-in-charge to protect its people.

“I can feel that the people are not in a stable situation because they are very worried about what has been happening in the country.

“It is not like they don’t have a government and a leader, but what else can they do if they feel like their lives are not protected?

"Hopes and happiness promised to them are getting more bleak every day,” said Nik Aziz.

According to him, everything that has been promised to the people is just a “drama and a magic show” to fool the people.

There are also leaders who have abused the name of “strengthening the economy” by making promises through development projects. For Nik Aziz, these are just “sources of waste, corruption and abuse of power”.

He also added that those in power have betrayed the people. “There are a lot of slogans made but they are in fact meaningless and not effective in fixing the problems,” he said.

With this, Nik Aziz added, the May 13 tragedy which took 196 lives, according to official figures, should be seen as a beginning of a new momentum.

“We have to choose a people-centric government that grants us freedom of expression, peaceful assemblies but at the same time respect the separation of powers, rule of law and natural justice,” he said.

“Take the May 13 tragedy as a foundation of change so that we can strengthen unity between the races.

"I would also like to invite the people regardless of their background and religion to reject cruelty together,” he concluded.