PAS said it is not worried that the eldest son of its iconic former spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is now contesting under the Pakatan Harapan ticket.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang dismissed Nik Omar’s candidacy as a small protest vote that will not threaten the Islamist party’s hold on Kelantan, which analysts said has become tenuous after PAS ended ties with its allies, PKR and DAP.

Nik Omar was fielded as the PH candidate for the Chempaka state seat in Kelantan today. This is after he said earlier he would not contest.

“I have not been informed (of the latest development). Our earlier information was not that. We shall wait for more accurate information,” Hadi said after he filed his own nomination papers in Marang, Terengganu.

“(If it is true Nik Omar) is contesting, it will not threaten PAS’ support in Kelantan. It’s more like a small protest vote that will not jeopardise PAS.”

PAS, which has ruled Kelantan for close to three decades, is facing an aggressive campaign from Barisan Nasional and PH, which includes a PAS splinter party, Amanah, Bersatu, PKR and DAP. – April 28, 2018.