Only Mahathir knows his own sincerity about wanting to quit, says Nik Aziz

comments     Mohd Irfan Isa     Published     Updated

Whether Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mahathir was truly sincere about relinquishing his party and Barisan Nasional posts is best left to himself to answer, said PAS spiritual advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

"The answer to that can only be found in one's heart. But for an aged man (of 76) who wants to avoid a burden that is preferably left to the younger ones to carry, [the resignation] is an appropriate choice,'' the Kelantan menteri besar said this morning.

"However, since he has retracted his decision, hopefully he can last the distance,'' said Nik Aziz, who added that he could nevertheless understand why Mahathir had wanted to quit.

"As it is, he is already old, and [Umno is] beset with so many internal problems. For example, after the Barisan Bertindak Melayu (BBM) meeting (helmed by Kelantan Umno's Ibrahim Ali) in KL last year, Dr Mahathir said that Malays have split into four (Umno, PAS, Keadilan and BBM).

"Later, there were problems related to MCA, bumiputra numbers in IPTS (private colleges), the usage of English [as the medium of instruction in schools], and others. It is like the older he gets, the more problems he has. As such, it is understandable that he wants to give up.''

More problems

As for whether the "timing" is right for Mahathir to resign, Nik Aziz said that the issue is one which is "difficult for PAS to guess".

"It could be due to Malays not wanting to follow him anymore, or it can be due to his leadership problems. Dr Mahathir always goes against the flow, whether against Islam [or others].

"For example, he called Malaysia an Islamic country, but then, battles with PAS. If that is the case, he should have accepted PAS long ago and stop attacking us.

"But until last night, he was still attacking PAS vehemently (in his closing speech at the Umno annual general assembly in Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur). I couldn't bear it any longer and switched off the television as I felt sad. And the next thing I knew, he wanted to resign.''

Embrace us, Mahathir told

According to Nik Aziz, PAS had consistently championed the cause of Islam for the past 50 years.

"If the PM can embrace us, it would have lightened his burden considerably. But we cannot go back to Barisan Nasional, I cannot accept that.

"Given that a lot of Malays have embraced PAS, is it wise for him to embrace us and make it easier for himself,'' said Nik Aziz, who also questioned Mahathir's declaration last September that Malaysia is an Islamic country.

"Was it because of pressure from PAS or the workings of his own faith? If it is PAS, then it is due to external factors. And whatever that is 'externally-driven' doesn't count.''

According to him, as long as Mahathir does not demonstrate any change in mindset towards PAS, the Muslim-based party will continue to oppose him.

Nik Aziz added that the PM's subsequent retraction of his resignation has also made him a laughing stock for the opposition.

"Dr Mahathir, I heard, has a tendency to decide things solely by himself. I didn't believe at first, but when I reflected upon last night's incident, what has been said about him rings pretty true.''


MOHD IRFAN ISA is a malaysiakini stringer for the east coast.



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