'Anwar hopes to rekindle brotherhood with Hadi'

In a bid to rebuild the nation and avoid failure, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed hopes to rekindle a relationship with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

PKR-linked preacher Wan Ji Wan Hussin told Malaysiakini that Anwar’s wish was conveyed during his meeting with the two sons of former PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yesterday.

“While the prime minister asked about the developments of Nik Aziz’s children, he also mentioned the spirit of brotherhood between him and his old friends, including Hadi.

“The prime minister really hopes that it (brotherly relationship) would happen between him and the PAS president, as well as PAS’ attitude in dealing with issues that arise so that it does not deter nation-building efforts,” he said.

Wan Ji said this when asked to comment on Anwar’s meeting with Nik Omar and his brother Nik Muhammad Abduh, which the preacher also attended.

The meeting had raised eyebrows among political observers as it was widely touted that the two brothers were political enemies.

Nik Abduh is a Central PAS Committee member. However, he was not fielded during the 15th general election.

His relationship with Nik Omar is known to be strained after the latter decided to join Amanah because he disagreed with PAS’ stance in 2018 to work together with Umno.

During the 14th general election, Nik Omar contested the Chempaka state seat under PKR’s ticket but was defeated.

In addition, Wan Ji reiterated that the meeting was also an effort to continue Nik Aziz’s legacy.

“The meeting between the prime minister and Nik Aziz’s two sons Nik Omar and Nik Abduh - is in the spirit of ensuring his legacy.

"Nik Aziz (legacy) can be continued in many aspects, two big aspects in particular. Firstly, Islamic education and secondly, politics based on humanity and brotherhood," he added.

Hadi and Anwar were former leaders of the Islamic Youth Movement Malaysia (Abim).

In the past, the Anwar-led PKR had worked with PAS to form Barisan Alternatif in 1999 until 2001, and Pakatan Rakyat from 2008 to 2015.

Both PKR and PAS were members of the three-party opposition Pakatan before the bloc fell apart in 2015 amid differences over the implementation of the Islamic penal code, or hudud, in Kelantan.

Nurul Izzah’s initiative

Wan Ji said Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah initiated the meeting while the former acted as the mediator.

"This is an initiative by Nurul Izzah.

"She asked me to be the middleman to meet with Nik Abduh and that meeting with him took place a day before Ramadan,” he added.

After that, Wan Ji proposed for Nik Omar to also be invited to the meeting with the prime minister.

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