MB stays mum on ‘oldies must go’ statement

KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has refused to respond to the call by a state representative for “old and sickly” elected representatives to step down to make way for new leaders.

When the press posed the issue to him, the Kelantan Mentri Besar only said he had to go for prayers and left in a huff.

He was met during a press conference after launching the Mawaddah (Affection) Day statelevel celebrations here yesterday.

Gaal asssemblyman Dr Nik Mazian Nik Mohamad caused a stir at the recently-concluded state assembly meeting by saying that it was time for ageing and sickly PAS representatives to pass the baton to younger leaders.

Many believed that his statement was aimed at the 82-year-old Nik Aziz.

Dr Nik Mazian said most of his colleagues agreed that party leaders from “top to bottom” should be prepared to pass the baton to younger leaders if they are no longer healthy or too old to serve.

Earlier, at the same press conference, Nik Aziz said Umno must be disbanded first if the party was serious about forging a relationship with PAS.

He added that former Umno president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had set the same condition to Semangat 46 by asking the opposition party to disband if its members wanted to join Umno.