Nik Aziz tells Nasharuddin to join Umno

(Bernama) – PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has told Nasharuddin Mat Isa to quit as PAS deputy president and Bachok member of Parliament and join Umno if he persists with the unity government agenda.

"The unity government issue did not come from PAS but is an idea floated by certain individuals. The matter was never in black and white as a PAS agenda or that of the opposition alliance.

"If it's true that Nasharuddin is agreeable (to the unity government), then he had better join Umno, resign from his posts as deputy (president of PAS) and in Bachok (MP)," the Kelantan menteri besar told reporters after chairing the state executive council meeting here today.

He said the proposal on a unity government between the opposition alliance and PAS was something tossed around by "Umno's puppets" to create confusion within PAS and the opposition alliance.

Nik Abdul Aziz was commenting on a statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday that he believed PAS was sincere about having a unity government as proposed by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang recently.

Najib had said that he was open minded and was willing to consider any suggestion by PAS if it would bring good to the country.

Nasharuddin, in response, said PAS was open to discussions on unity and not a unity government because the party saw chances to make good suggestions to the government to help resolve the political and economic crises.

Nik Abdul Aziz said he regretted Nasharuddin's stand because PAS in Kelantan had accepted him as a candidate for the Bachok seat in the 2008 general election.

He said PAS and the opposition alliance had fallen into Umno's trap over the unity government agenda which had caused disunity among them.

"The Umno people are now rejoicing because PAS is splitting and the opposition alliance is splitting," he said.

He also said that if the unity government agenda were to truly materialise the BN should appoint leaders from the opposition as ministers.

"If everyone agrees…PAS (leaders) become ministers, DAP (leaders) become ministers and Keadilan (Parti Keadilan Rakyat leaders) become ministers," he said.

Nik Abdul Aziz also said that he would sue Utusan Malaysia for defamation over its report on June 15 which quoted him as saying that his advice must be heeded.

"I categorically deny using the word 'must'," he said, adding that it was a lie and a move to humiliate so that the society and the mufti would hate him.

He said he had engaged a lawyer to initiate the suit.