The Genius Tuan Guru Nik Aziz
Those who thought the northern state just had to fall back into the ruling Barisan National’s fold this time will find the Opposition leader’s recent statement that this will be his last election, a master stroke. He knows how sentimental the Kelantanese are. Yes, he is Nik Aziz Nik Mat; a man who gains respects from think tanks, political parties and universities
He knows that while they export some of their most talented sons to the rest of Malaysia as hard-nosed businessmen, those back home will find it hard to toss the old man out when he says this will be his last stand.
Yes, the ruling Front’s gains in the northern state seem steady and forward. Four years ago, they lost the state by only two seats, later whittling the Opposition’s hold to a majority of just one seat after a by-election. Why shouldn’t anyone believe the State is set to fall back into Government hands, sentimental Kelantanese or not?
Well, here are some other reasons to doubt the obvious:
- In the past general election PAS lost big because it didn’t take the pulse of the ground, which was prepared to punish its politicians for not delivering the goods. The party is unlikely to repeat that mistake, even if Nik Aziz himself likes to repeat other errors – like calling his opponents orang utans.
- There’s the continuing factionalism in Umno Kelantan. Even the move to field former assistant central banker Datuk Awang Adek as a candidate for the state seat and signal him as the future Menteri Besar may not be enough to convince fence sitter voters to support the BN.
- Finally, yes, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has visited the state several times in the last six months, presumably galvanising the ground. And yes, party highflyer Khairy Jamaluddin, the Number Two in the ruling Front's youth movement, has been given a big role in leading the siege.
But these late-hour jabs still don’t quite measure up to the unadulterated effort in Terengganu long before the past general election when even as Deputy Prime Minister then, Abdullah spent a year leading the state team, identifying credible candidates who spread through the land with fresh humility to win back the ground.
The Prime Minister; Abdullah actually went to Terengganu every month to make sure the party machinery was spinning with the expertness and strength that the local Teregganu men spin their famous giant tops, the gasing.
- Pas is treating its battle to hang on to Kelantan as its final stand. It knows that if this state falls, the conservative Islamic party will be consigned to sidelines of Malaysian politics for a long time to come. That's why it's fielding some big guns to face the invaders. These include party vice-president Husam Musa as well as deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa.
- And then there’s Nik Aziz at the reins.
With the old man stoking sentiment, and the party machinery claiming it will replace half the field with new faces, there may well be enough emotion, experience and fresh energy to hold the State in Opposition for one more term.
This positive image is the result of his moderate lifestyle and religious credentials. Perhaps Umno and BN will have to bash through this psychological barrier if they want to retake the East Coast state.
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| *original article by MalaysianInsider
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