Nasha's absence sets tongues wagging

Where is PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa? That was the question on everyone's mind in Manek Urai this morning.

Nasharuddin was conspicuous by his absence at time when other party leaders were present to support their candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah in filing his nomination papers for the by-election.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who headed PAS' big crowd this morning to the nomination centre appeared nonchalant when asked about Nasharuddin's absence.

"I don't know. Ask him lah. It's his business (to be here or not)," was his response to reporters.

When pressed for an answer, the party spiritual adviser appeared annoyed and repeated that he didn't know why the deputy president was missing.

However Nik Aziz did take the opportunity to comment on the Nasharuddin-backed proposed unity talks with rival Umno.

"The unity talks proposal is dead. We are united in Pakatan Rakyat. Pakatan is more united than unity itself," he said. PKR vice-president Azmin Ali who was standing next to Nik Aziz just gave a small smile.

The 'unity talks' issue had caused major tension in PAS with leaders openly disagreeing over the proposed talks.

The proposal was mooted by party president Abdul Hadi Awang and backed by Nasharuddin; however, leaders like Nik Aziz were vehemently against talks with Umno.

Finally a joint-decision taken at the Pakatan level put an end to the proposed talks but not before Nik Aziz openly rebuked Nasharuddin ( right ) for being pro-Umno.

While Hadi has been seen in the public since the proposal was shot down, Nasharuddin has been elusive.

Why isn't Najib here?

When Hadi was asked this morning about Nasharuddin's whereabouts, he retorted by asking why the Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was not in Manek Urai.

He also stressed that PAS is committed to Pakatan. He added that the issue of unity talks would not dominate the by-election campaign.

"Only local issues will be important here," he said.

Nik Aziz was also asked to comment on his relationship with Hadi, to which he said: "I am the mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) and he is the president. Our relationship is better than normal".

Nik Aziz also condemned Umno for being unIslamic.

"If Umno returns to the true teaching of Islam, everything will be fine," he said.

Nasharuddin could not be contacted for comment.

The by-election on July 14 will pit PAS' Mohd Fauzi Abdullah against Umno's Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat.

The by-election has been called because of the death of former state assemblyman Ismail Yaakob, of PAS, on May 22.