KOTA BARU: PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has cancelled his “fully-sponsored” pilgrimage to Mecca following criticisms that a trip under such arrangements would be highly inappropriate.
Off they go: Nik Aziz flagging off a bicycle race during a sports carnival in Kota Baru yesterday. The Kelantan Mentri Besar, who was said to be under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), made the announcement before hundreds of party supporters gathered at his weekly kuliah (lecture) at the state PAS headquarters in Jalan Dato Pati here yesterday.
The usually temperate leader condemned those whom he charged had maligned him over the trip, saying they would be “answerable to Tuhan (God).”
He labelled them as Quraisy (a clan from Mecca led by Abu Lahab, Prophet Muhammad’s uncle) who was dead against the prophet’s movement to spread Islam.
“I have decided not to go because a newspaper highlighted the story about me accepting the sponsorship and other matters. Although I yearn to carry out my pious duties there, it’s okay. I wish all those going to Mecca to make full use of the opportunity and do good. “It’s okay if I am not sponsored. I am not hard-up because I have my own money and the (state) government can also give me money.
“But if you slander (me), God will repay,” he said, as the supporters listened quietly.
Nik Aziz had earlier this week deemed it all right for him to accept the sponsorship by a private individual to go for the two-week long pilgrimage, estimated to cost RM65,000. He was to leave on Wednesday.
Nik Aziz linked negative media reports on the trip to alleged wrong-doings of his son-in-law Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman, who is the chief executive officer of Kelantan Mentri Besar Incorporated (PMBK).
“Dia buat, dia punya pasal dan dia dapat dosa (Whoever behind it will have to pay for their sins),” he remarked.
The frail-looking Menrti Besar, who was recently admitted to hospital, declined to meet reporters after his speech. His political secretary, Anual Bakri, confirmed that his boss would not be going to Mecca.
“The others in his entourage may not go too,” he added.
Anual denied that Nik Aziz, 78, had cancelled the trip due to health reasons.
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