KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is unlikely to wrest Kelantan from PAS in the coming polls, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad predicts, saying voters there were too “obsessed” with Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to vote against him.
“There is a no chance” for BN to take over Kelantan because of the people’s obsession with their spiritual leader, the former prime minister published yesterday on his blog chedet.co.cc.
“So much is this obsession that the people of Kelantan accept everything he says as true and reflect the teachings of Islam,” Dr Mahathir said.
“We are puzzled how there are Muslims who regard their leaders so highly that they are willing to drink the water used to wash their feet. But this is what happens when one is obsessed,” he added.
Dr Mahathir said any “sane person” would reject Nik Aziz’s teachings that by voting PAS, one would be blessed and immediately guaranteed a place in heaven.
“But it seems the majority of people in Kelantan will continue supporting their leader,” he said, adding those with doubts are not speaking out.
“PAS’ victory in Kelantan and in other states show Nik Aziz’s leadership is not affected although he is clearly abusing religion for political purposes.”
Dr Mahathir said that previously, PAS use to regard cooperation between Umno and non-Muslims as against Islam.
“Now PAS under Nik Aziz’s leadership, is not only working closely with non-Muslims, but they are willing to work together with those who openly oppose PAS’ goal to establish an Islamic state implementing hudud law,” he said.
“I remember clearly while we were building Putrajaya, Nik Aziz claimed that when PAS takes over the country, they will sell off Putrajaya. Now, they are fighting to take over as leaders of Putrajaya,” he added.
Dr Mahathir reminded the people that Muslims are divided and weakened “because their obsession with their leaders are more than the teachings in the Al-Quran”.
“The situation of Muslims and the Islamic religion in Malaysia is the same,” he said. “Indeed, all will come from Muslims themselves.”
PAS has ruled Kelantan since 1990. It is one of four Malaysian states not ruled by the BN coalition after the 2008 elections.
PAS earlier this year confirmed Nik Aziz’s candidacy in the upcoming general election.
Dr Mahathir was first elected in 1964 while Nik Aziz first stood as a PAS candidate in a by-election for the Kelantan Hilir parliamentary seat in 1967.