PITA POLITIK (69): ANWAR THE PRIME MINISTER IN WAITING?

Sunday August 10, 2008
Nik Aziz wants PAS delegates to remember Umno ‘betrayals’


KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat wants delegates to the party’s annual gathering to remember history where PAS was victimised twice by Umno.

Nik Abdul Aziz said that in the 1970s he supported a proposal for PAS to became part of Barisan Nasional.

“Then, the party was evicted from the coalition and in the early 1990s, PAS forged an alliance with the (now defunct) Semangat 46 party. Again, it was left on the side when Semangat dissolved,” he said.

Nik Abdul Aziz said he had experienced twice the feeling of being betrayed, and stressed that he did not want PAS to go through the same situation again. He urged delegates to reflect on what the party had to go through.

“PAS has always been invited by parties who are skinny initially and when we help them to get fat we are then considered excess fat and removed,” he said.

In a related development, PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said the party would proceed with its gathering although the dates clashed with Nomination Day and the campaigning period for the Permatang Pauh by-election. (The Star Online)

Comment:
Datuk Nik Aziz reminds PAS members of UMNO betrayals in the 70's and 90's? Interesting. Just a day ago, Nik Aziz said something like Pakatan Rakyat members should not be envious of Anwar. And Anwar should be given a chance to be elected as MP.

Nik Aziz should not forget many of the current PAS and PKR leaders were former UMNO leaders, such as Kamaruddin Jaafar, Azmin Ali, Khalid Ibrahim or Hassan Ali. They were part of Anwar Ibrahim's inner circle. Now Ezam Mohd Nor has returned to UMNO, and is trying to reposition himself as a leader to be reckoned with.

So, Datuk Nik , where are they now? Kamaruddin is PAS Secretary General. Azmin is PKR Deputy President. Khalid Ibrahim is now the Menteri Besar of Selangor with Hassan as one of the senior EXCOs. In UMNO itself, Ahmad Zaid Hamidi, a former Anwar loyalist and right hand man is going strong and vying for the Vice-President post in the December UMNO Election. Fauzi Abd Rahman has left UMNO and might consider joining PKR. Political analysts insist on saying that all major political Malay parties have been cleverly infiltrated by Anwar's former and current loyalists.

SInce the return of Ezam to UMNO there is lot of talks about the Trojan Horse. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hasa reminded UMNO of the danger of a Trojan Horse in UMNO. But some analysts have been saying such trojan horse has been with PAS, without their leaders knowing it. Is Nik Aziz aware of this? Some people might be thinking that this is part of Anwar's political strategy to gain power.

The Malaysian politiacal playing field is not that complicated if people caan read Anwar's mind, and Wan Azizah is playing beautifully to fit into Anwar's plan. She gave way to allow her husband to contest the Permatang Pauh parliaamentary seat she vacated. Chandra Muzaffar said this was a short cut for Anwar's entry into the politcal mainstream. which is through the back door. Once Anwar becomes MP, he would take over the PR leadership from Azmin.

And the political showdown is set between two rival camps: Abdullah Ahmad badawi on the BN and Anwar on the PR. With Tun Mahathir out of UMNO and Abdullah at his weakest point in terms of public opinion and influence some people say the rest is a forgone conclusion. And the 16 September deadline is still intact. So Anwar is the next prime minister in waiting.

Nobody knowa what is in the mind of Nik Aziz. He is a straight talker but is he thinking straight too? Probably Nik Aziz should consider all these former loyalists in order to enter the straight talk in which he is familiar with! Another betrayal, Datuk and this time by whom??