Nik Aziz’s widow steps in to ensure no friction among sons

KOTA BARU: The much talkedabout political rivalry between the sons of the late PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat may have fizzled out even before it begins.

Their mother Tuan Sabariah Tuan Ishak (pic) has apparently stepped in to ensure that there will be no family feud.

It is learnt that she has refused to give her blessings to eldest son Nik Omar Nik Aziz to join PAS splinter party Amanah and contest as a Pakatan Harapan candidate against the Islamist party.

Her fourth son Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, currently the incumbent Pasir Mas MP, is a PAS loyalist.

Nik Abdul Aziz had 10 children, including five sons, but only Nik Abduh is active in politics.

However, two years ago, Nik Omar, who is also the Madrasah Darul Anuar principal in Pulau Melaka, agreed to join Amanah during a ceremony in Petaling Jaya.

Amanah had then offered him the Kelantan Amanah Syariah Panel chief post.

However, before he could even fill up the Amanah membership form, his mother had objected to his joining, said sources.

Amanah secretarygeneral Anuar Tahir confirmed that Nik Omar had yet to fill up the form.

Kelantan PAS Youth Information chief Nazman Che Iberahim said it would not be a surprise if Nik Omar eventually joined Amanah because he was with Ikram Association Malaysia, which formed the party’s backbone.

Ikram is a missionary, educational and charity organisation.

“Even if Nik Omar were to join Amanah, it would not have any impact on PAS because he is not a big player in the field of politics.

“He is free to make his choice in keeping with democratic practices,” said Nazman.

Kelantan Amanah chief Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah said the party had wooed Nik Omar as part of a strategic move to ensure Nik Aziz’s legacy continued.

A couple of years ago, Nik Omar had called on PAS to remain in Pakatan as it might not be able to survive on its own.

Nik Abduh has chosen to remain mum as talk of his brother joining Amanah and contesting in the Chempaka state seat became the talk of the town.

It will be ironic if the brothers were to split over differences in political ideology as their father was instrumental in mending fractured ties in PAS during an internal power struggle in 1977.