VOTERS should choose a party that can take Malaysia in a better direction, said Nik Omar Nik Aziz, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) latest star to unlock the Malay vote, in a special address targeted at Malay-Muslim voters tonight.

The son of PAS’ late spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said Malaysians of all races should unite to support PH if they wanted the country to regain its dignity.

“We are now given a chance to choose those who can take the country in a better direction.

“There is no other choice at this present time and all of us must unite our hearts to choose PH,” he said in a speech that was broadcast live on his Facebook page this evening.

The PH candidate for the Chempaka state seat in Kelantan has drawn many admirers, including from non-Muslims for his gentle approach to campaigning, which many say resembles his late father, who was highly respected in PAS and by leaders across the political divide.

The 53-year-old religious scholar, who was named as PH’s Kelantan menteri besar designate, sprung a surprise when he filed his nomination papers last Saturday as a PH candidate.

He was immediately sacked from PAS and came under attack by the Islamist party’s supporters and members for being a traitor to his father. His mother had also branded him a rebel and withdrew her support for his candidacy.

Political analysts said Nik Omar’s move has made PH “halal” in the eyes of Malay voters, whom the opposition must convince in huge numbers in order to capture more seats.

Nik Omar said Malaysia needs to be returned to the right path under a leadership that is clean and trustworthy.

“The morals of our country’s leadership is sinking lower and lower by the day. The people are feeling more burdened than ever.

“The chance for us to change is here on Wednesday, May 9, to create history in our lifetime and for our future generations,” he said in the Facebook broadcast that garnered over 3,600 likes and more than 3,000 shares. – May 7, 2018.