Nik Aziz unhappy with SMSes

KOTA BARU: Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat is unhappy with the spread of text messages, including those defaming party leaders, at the recent muktamar here.

Nik Aziz, who is Kelantan Menteri Besar, said the turnout at the three-day assembly was good but regretted the action of certain candidates using the SMS to campaign in the party elections.

"Pas members should avoid (using the SMS to campaign). There is no point doing it as the delegates to the meeting are mature and will not be influenced by them," he said here yesterday. Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was re-elected uncontested at the meeting while Nasharudin Mat Isa retained his deputy president’s post by defeating former Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib.

Nik Aziz also said it was unthinkable that Pas members should send SMSes defaming party leaders."I thought this habit had disappeared but it is still present. Please stop doing all this." Commenting on a suggestion by a top leader for the party leadership to be decided through syura (consensus), Nik Aziz said he personally preferred it to be done that way.

"Election by syura is better to avoid all the problems that come with an election." Former vice-president Datuk Hassan Ali, who did not seek re-election this year, suggested this at the muktamar.

From NST, 6th June 2007