NIK Omar Nik Abdul Aziz, the PAS-turned-Amanah candidate for the Chempaka state seat in GE14, has been shunned by the mosque committee at Masjid Tok Guru in Kelantan for joining Pakatan Harapan.

The eldest son of respected PAS spiritual leader, the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, said he is no longer allowed to perform the duties of an imam and to preach at the mosque, Berita Harian reports.

Nik Omar told the Malay daily that he had a roster of scheduled sermons he was supposed to preach on Wednesday and Thursday nights, as well as on Friday mornings. This was the arrangement agreed to among his siblings since the death of Nik Aziz in 2015.

“But this morning (Friday) at subuh, my brother Nik Abduh took up duties as imam and gave the sermon. This is the price I have to pay.

“But there is no turning back for me after joining PH,” he said.

This is the latest blow to Nik Omar, who shocked the Islamist party with his eleventh-hour decision to stand in Chempaka as a PH candidate on a PKR ticket on nomination day. 

He has since been branded a traitor and is estranged from his mother as a result.

Despite capturing the hearts of many, including non-Muslims, with his gentle approach to campaigning and close resemblance to his highly revered father, Nik Omar lost the Chempaka seat in a three-cornered fight that included the winner, PAS, and Barisan Nasional.

PAS also retained Kelantan, the Islamist party’s stronghold state. – May 18, 2018.