PAS is not afraid of the latest changes to Kelantan Umno, declared state Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Speaking to reporters in Kota Baru this morning, Nik Aziz said the party is confident of the Kelantan people's support for PAS, which he believes is not monetary-based.

"Everyone knows that we are poor. In fact, people, realising how needy we are, actually give us money," said the PAS spiritual advisor when asked to comment on the major reshuffle within Umno as announced by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday.

Implying that the Kelantanese chose PAS for its Islamic slant, Nik Aziz argued that the change in the state Umno was merely external and about new faces, but not of mindset.

Modus operandi

"When Umno talks about Islam, it should be mindful of its need to change its mentality. What can Umno do? The very best that it can come up with is to spread money around and to threaten people. That is its modus operandi then and now, both here and all over the world," he said.

"The fact is, many Umno strongmen have defected to PAS. Some of them are Abdul Razak Abas (who was recently accused of flashing at a Puteri Umno member during the Indera Kayangan by-election in Perlis last year), Kamaruddin Jaafar (MP for Tumpat) and Mohamad Mustafa (Keadilan MP for Peringat who defeated Umno's Annuar Musa in the last election).

"These are hardcore Umno members who have decided that PAS' struggle is the right one."

According to Nik Aziz, the reason for the changes in Kelantan Umno could also be gleaned from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's remark that many of the state party's leaders are play acting ( bersandiwara ).

"Nevertheless, the current batch of leaders are just as guilty of that."

Umno not needed

On whether PAS will retain control in the coming general election, Nik Aziz confidently replied: "God willing, yes. There is no reason for Umno to rule Kelantan.

"Development? Well, you can see that there are projects being launched here and there throughout the year. The fact is Umno is worried about the many projects in Kelantan to the point of desperation."

Nik Aziz predicted that another good showing at the polls will be in store for his party when the people are convinced that they can also prosper under PAS.

"As it is, there is no reason for Umno to start any quarrel with us (over the issue of development). They should just go somewhere else. If the foundations of democracy are well preserved in Kelantan, there is no reason why people would choose anything other than an Islamic movement."

MOHD IRFAN ISA is a malaysiakini stringer.