GE14 | Nik Omar Nik Aziz has presented himself at the Pengkalan Chepa nomination centre in Kota Bharu, this morning, putting to rest speculation that the second son of the late Kelantan menteri besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat is Pakatan Harapan's choice to contest the Chempaka state seat.

He will be contesting under the banner of PAS splinter party Amanah, a member party of the opposition Harapan coalition.

His father, who was revered by many and who had served as PAS spiritual leader for many years, was the Chempaka assemblyperson for five terms since 1995 until his passing in 2015.

Nik Omar (below) was seen arriving at the Education Technology Division Hall in Pengkalan Chepa, earlier this morning, accompanied by Amanah's Pengkalan Chepa parliamentary candidate Mohamad Ibrahim and a band of some 100 supporters.

Nomination submission closed at 10am, after which Nik Omar's candidacy would be confirmed, pending any objections or unexpected hiccups.

His potential nomination had been the subject of much speculation, with some labelling it as a "brave" choice as it was also expected that PAS could choose to field his younger brother Nik Mohamad Abduh there.

Nik Mohamad is seen as a PAS strongman, and has been rigidly upholding the Islamic party's approach, despite uneasiness from certain quarters.

He had contested - and won - the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat in 2013 with an 8047-vote majority over Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

However, the latter is to be fielded for the Bachok parliamentary seat instead.

There was also the matter of Amanah having initially chosen to field another candidate at Chempaka, but this was hastily abandoned during last night's chaotic unveiling of Kelantan Harapan candidates.

A Mohammad Omar had been named as the potential Chempaka candidate instead, except he did not show up.

PAS to demand explanation

Meanwhile according to Berita Harian, Nik Omar will be getting a show cause letter from PAS over his nomination.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan was reported as saying Nik Omar had not made any request to leave the party, and he was therefore still considered a PAS member.

"According to the constitution, if any member joins another party, the individual automatically ceases to be a PAS member.

“But if he does not join PKR or Amanah, but contests under their party ticket, he has 30 days to explain,” he was reported as telling the Malay daily today.

In a separate matter, Kelantan Harapan is expected to drop another candidate who is embroiled in an investigation over a molest case.

The party leadership, however, has chosen to remain silent over the matter. 

State Harapan deputy chairperson Kamaruddin Md Nor had refused to comment on the matter when contacted, saying he will only respond after completion of nominations today.

Catch our live updates on Nomination Day here.