Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz, the son of late PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, has joined rival party Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and is the party's Kelantan shariah panel chairman.
The announcement was made tonight at a dinner by Kelantan Amanah at the Petaling Jaya Civic Centre, which was attended by about 1,000 people.
Among those present were opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang, and also former PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa.
The organisers did not expect the turnout and had to scramble at the last minute to add chairs and tables.
Kelantan Amanah chief Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah apologised to the crowd for any shortcomings at the event due to the large crowd.
A political observer said the turnout was a sign that Amanah had the support of Malays, following the split in PAS that led to the formation of the new party.
“It's an indication of the support especially by Malays towards Amanah in Kelantan,” the observer said.
Nik Aziz, who was also Kelantan's longest-serving menteri besar, died in February last year at the age of 84.
Respected by politicians on both sides of the divide, Nik Aziz was a strong advocate of the Islamist PAS's collaboration with the then Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition alliance that included PAS together with DAP and PKR.
PAS is not part of the new opposition pact, Pakatan Harapan, and has been replaced by Amanah. – January 1, 2016.
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