ALOR SETAR – The portrait of the late Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is nowhere to be seen at PAS’ archive exhibition, which is held in conjunction with the party’s 68th muktamar in Kota Sarang Semut here today.
Visitors and delegates will be passing by the exhibition when they enter the Kedah PAS complex, but it seems like the party’s former long-serving spiritual adviser Nik Aziz is not among the portraits.
The exhibition features all PAS leaders, including current president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and spiritual adviser Datuk Hashim Jasin.
Considered one of the great pious individuals, Nik Aziz served as PAS spiritual adviser from the 1980s until his death in 2015. He was 84 when he succumbed to prostate cancer.
He was also the longest-serving Kelantan menteri besar, from 1990 to 2013, when he vacated the post due to his poor health.
During his tenure, Nik Aziz managed to resist various attempts by Barisan Nasional to unseat him and PAS from Kelantan, including the suspension of government aid.
Nik Aziz through his political protege Datuk Husam Musa was steadfast in their beliefs that PAS should not be an Umno ally, especially after the Islamist party was swept back into power in Kelantan in 1990.
PAS only accepted Umno’s overtures after Nik Aziz’s death in 2015.
When asked why his portrait is not exhibited, a clerk referred the matter to the organising officials.
However, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan could not be reached for comment.
The party since its formation in 1951, has seven presidents although the role of the spiritual adviser is considered the most influential in the party.
The exhibition also has portraits of Burhanuddin al-Helmy, Mohd Asri Muda, Yusof Rawa, Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor as well as pioneering presidents Ahmad Fuad Hassan (founder) and Datuk Abbas Alias.
The only spiritual adviser featured is Hashim. – The Vibes, September 3, 2022
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