This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 8, 2018

KOTA BARU: With the 14th general election (GE14) less than 24 hours away, the Pakatan Harapan has raised its chances by an important notch.

In one move, the opposition coalition has piqued the interest of fence sitters among the Malay Muslims. A similar scenario was perhaps last seen during the days of Pakatan Rakyat, when it still had a partnership with Islamist party PAS.

Central to this is Nik Omar Nik Aziz, the son of prominent PAS spiritual leader the late Tok Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

His controversial entry into politics happened just days ago, when he was introduced as a surprise candidate for Pakatan Harapan in Nik Aziz’s traditional state seat of Chempaka in Kelantan in spite of a backlash from PAS and his family members.

In the latest development, Parti Amanah Negara will name Nik Omar as its candidate for Kelantan menteri besar if Pakatan Harapan captures the state in GE14, Bernama reported. Amanah vice-president Husam Musa made the announcement at a press conference in Kota Baru yesterday.

The little-known Nik Omar has done a fairly good job to carry much-missed aura of the late Nik Aziz, as seen during the overwhelming response during his national debut in Putrajaya.

His presence in Pakatan Harapan also provides a new justification for Amanah, which has been attacked by PAS since its inception for collaborating with DAP, which is branded as anti-Islam.

In an interview with The Edge Financial Daily, Nik Omar, an educationist, expressed regret that the opposition has split up into two at a time when the incumbent Barisan Nasional government is at its weakest.

He is also undeterred in pushing the Islamic agenda with Pakatan Harapan.

“Why was the late Tok Guru able to manage the difference in opinion in Pakatan Rakyat? This must be given focus.

“If at one stage, many people still disagree [with the Islamic approach], there is no problem. First and foremost, we need to provide the space, to open up the mind [to get to know Islamic governance],” he said.

In his view, there is no need to be sceptical and fear the non-Muslims. “There is no need to create the perception that these people are rejecting Islam.

“We accept the fact that this is a multi-ethic nation. If governance is fair, the rights of everyone will be protected, Insya Allah,” he added.

Nik Omar understands clearly that his turning his back on PAS is a huge blow to the party — particularly involving Malay-Muslim fence sitters who see PAS as a last resort in the absence of a strong Islamic representative in Pakatan Harapan previously.

He pays no heed to the notion that he is a “tool” for the opposition coalition to win votes, and is more than happy to share the stage with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was once considered a nemesis of his late father.

To read the excerpt of the interview, go here http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/time-change-now-nik-omar