If Umno truly respected recently-deceased PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, it would have not challenged him for the Chempaka seat in the last general election, PAS election director Dr Hatta Ramli said.

He was responding to Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s call for BN to sit out the Chempaka by-election out of respect for Nik Aziz.

"Maybe it’s true that BN respects Tok Guru Nik Aziz ( left ) so much, but he contested every election since 1967.

"If they truly respected him, the would have not contested in the last polls.

"I am not saying that they are afraid, but I am not sure what other reasons there may be for not contesting Chempaka. We should meet in both Chempaka and Permatang Pauh,” he said at a press conference today.

BN should give a more plausible reason for not contesting, like in Bukit Gelugor where the ruling coalition said it did not want to waste funds given the deceased incumbent MP’s Karpal Singh’s influence there.

Post-humous honour

On Saturday, Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa Mohamed  said he personally feels BN should stay out of the Chempaka by-election and just focus on flood recovery efforts after the debilitating disaster last December.

This prompted an outcry from Perkasa president and former Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali, who told Mustapa he needs to join PAS or set up a welfare organisation if he wants to focus on floods.

"Kelantan floods every year," Ibrahim said.

BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, however said it is still too early for the coalition to decide on whether it will field a candidate in Chempaka.

The seat fell vacant upon the death of Nik Aziz of prostate cancer last Thursday at age of 84.

Tens of thousands flocked to his home in Kampung Pulau Melaka, Kota Bharu to pay last respects at the funeral broadcast live on television.

This prompted critics to question why he was often ridiculed on TV by BN leaders when alive but accorded this honour in death.