PAS leaders have criticised Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s attempt to visit to the grave of the party’s beloved spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, questioning if it was an opportunistic move to coincide with the general election.

They also questioned Dr Mahathir’s motives, given that the Pakatan Harapan prime minister-candidate had always been a fierce critic of Nik Aziz when he was in power.

“When Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) was alive, he would attack Tok Guru relentlessly on television,” said PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in a ceramah in Bachok last night. 

“Now that Tok Guru is dead, he praises him,” said Hadi, referring to Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir often crossed swords with Nik Aziz during his 22 years as prime minister and Barisan Nasional chairman.

The political attacks by BN against Nik Aziz and PAS intensified after the Islamist party captured Kelantan in the 1990 general election.

PAS had criticised Dr Mahathir for withholding federal funds for Kelantan since the start of PAS rule in 1990.

Yesterday, Dr Mahathir attempted to pay his respects to Nik Aziz at the latter’s grave in Pulau Melaka. But Nik Aziz’s third son, Nik Adli, locked the cemetery, sealing it off from Dr Mahathir’s entourage.

Bachok PAS division leader Zamri Zahari said there had been ample time for Dr Mahathir to visit the grave as Nik Aziz died in early 2015.

“So why did he choose to come two to three days before polling day? Before this, he didn’t even come to visit,” Zamri said.

“We are not questioning his right to visit but why now?

“(Because) It is more of a stunt to deceive the public,” said Zamri.

PAS is fighting hard to retain Kelantan against BN and PH in the 14th general election. – May 7, 2018.