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By Zubaidah Abu Bakar (NST) IT'S a vote for Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Pas tells Manik Urai voters as it hits the campaign trail with the tagline "Tok Guru Memimpin, Manik Urai Berkat".
The theme of the by-election campaign, which officially kicks off after nominations are completed today, translates to mean that the almost exclusively-Malay constituency will be blessed under the leadership of the 77-year-old party spiritual leader (mursyidul am). Never mind that the Kelantan menteri besar is not the party's candidate. Pas is using his popularity to bring in the votes on July 14 and retain the state seat that had been left vacant with the death of assemblyman Ismail Yaakob in May. The strategy to rely on Nik Aziz's persona has worked in the past, at least in Kelantan where Pas has been in power since 1990. Even an image of him can sway voters. It is widely believed that a picture of the Tok Guru seeking divine intervention against Barisan Nasional during special prayers at Stadium Sultan Mohamad IV had cast a spell on non-resident Kelantanese returning to vote in the last general election.
Pas leaders do not see how the party can fail in Manik Urai, a Pas stronghold in Nik Aziz's backyard. With more than 40 years in politics and as leader of the Kelantan government since 1990, the Tok Guru is respected on both sides of the divide. A leader of his stature can survive attacks from political foes over silly mistakes or remarks he may have made. Nik Aziz has been "forgiven" many times for his blunders. Pas leaders are aware of this. They, including Manik Urai by-election machinery adviser Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah, are not bothered by Umno's criticisms of Nik Aziz. Nik Aziz has been quietly campaigning since the Manik Urai seat fell vacant, meeting voters directly in small group ceramah or indirectly, like at the Friday prayer sermon he delivered in Kampung Lela Jasa last week. In the sermon, he told the congregation that it was compulsory for Muslims to choose a God-fearing leader as he would be more trustworthy and responsible in carrying out his duties. At a hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan Pas commissioner, had a special session with about 400 Manik Urai outstation voters and instructed them to return to vote. "You have to go back. If you cannot take the bus, ride motorcycles. If you can't ride motorcycles, walk back," he said to laughter at the dinner organised by the Malaysian Association of Kelantanese Abroad or Perakan. There are 867 Manik Urai voters living in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, according to the association, with another 1,000 spread out in other states and Singapore. To reach more outstation voters, Pas is bringing the Manik Urai by-election campaign to Taman Sri Gombak, Selangor, tomorrow, when central committee member Datuk Husam Musa and Mohamad Sabu will be guest speakers. "The idea is to encourage the outstation voters to go back to vote," said Kuala Krai member of parliament Dr Hatta Mohd Ramli. Can Nik Aziz do his magic again? The answer, of course, lies with Manik Urai's 12,293 registered voters.
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