KELANTAN's interim Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat is not very well. He shuffles slowly to the interview area in the MB office and then places his two little feet onto the thermal massager.

He then switches on his hearing aid, ready for an exclusive interview with fz.com.

The 82-year old Nik Aziz is quite a character. His witty cutting remarks, his political speeches which tend to be religious-based lectures and attacks on ruling party Umno make him an interesting politician to watch. His alertness when spewing out attacks against his main enemy – Umno – belies his frail health.

PAS members say the pint-sized man in his simple ulama attire – who still lives in the small half-wooden house despite being the MB – is a gift from above to the party. But Kelantanese, PAS or otherwise, all agree that he is one of a kind.

Nik Aziz said that he will stand as a candidate in the coming General Election and will continue to be active in politics as long as PAS asks him to do so.

Nik Aziz first stood in the Kelantan Hilir parliamentary seat in 1967 (later renamed as Pengkalan Chepa), which he held on to until 1986. He then played a role as the state PAS commissioner in ousting Datuk Asri Muda, the then PAS president who brought PAS into the ruling coalition of Barisan Nasional.

Nik Aziz later on was active in Kelantan politics as a state assembly member. In 1990, PAS managed to wrest back Kelantan from Barisan Nasional and he was appointed the menteri besar. Nik Aziz became the PAS spiritual leader in 1991.

"It is not that I do not want to step down, but I have never asked to be a candidate. The party wants me to stand. PAS Election Chief Datuk Mustafa Ali had said it is compulsory for me to stand, so I have to appease PAS," said Nik Aziz, referring to the attacks by Umno on his refusal to step down from helming PAS despite being ill.

Nik Aziz claimed that PAS has now been able to attract the higher educated group to join the party as it promises more than mere material gains.

"We now have not only the village people, but also the doctors, the PhD holders, the knowledgeable ones," said Nik Aziz.

He likened those who are opting for the opposition to the people of Medina who welcomed the Prophet Muhammad and his followers who were fleeing from the Meccans' hostility to Islam.

"The prophet then offered something which was never offered by the governments before him. He offered to open up their heart – not open up the country. The governments before him had brought development, roads, money, (and) food; but those were all. The prophet's teachings promised that it is God who is all powerful – not the King, not the President.

"No one can create a blade of grass, a grain of padi or make an ikan bilis (anchovy), and everyone has to answer to his doings after he dies. It is not only the kampung people who will die, even doctors will die – but who wants to die? No one wants to die!" said Nik Aziz, referring to retribution after death for those who have done wrongs.

He said that PAS offers a government that is God-fearing and not just mere material development.

"Malaysia is a country rich in natural resources and the development of Malaysia for the past six decades has been one of material development.  

"Umno is like the cat, it will pounce, take and then hide with its booty," said a laughing Nik Aziz.

Nik Aziz said that the lack of fear in God is the one factor that leads to bribery and corruption.

"I would like to know why Umno does not make Islam as its basis and (instead) goes on nationalism. Is it because Islam is expired?"

To the question of whether PAS is now being more open to the professionals as compared to before when the top leaders were only ulamas, Nik Aziz also said that there is no such thing as segregating professionals and ulamas.

"What is an ulama? It is the European terms – ulamas and professionals. Now, ulamas and scientists have come together to agree. Both are from universities, only some become ustaz (teachers), some become scientists and so on. Both are knowledgeable people.

"The prediction by the prophet thousands of years ago also has come true, that it is through the findings of science that people will return to the religion," said Nik Aziz, trying to explain that there should not be such a segregation among members of PAS.

He also debunked the myth that ulamas are always right.

"Ulamas can also talk nonsense. During the Prophet's time, some ulamas were from the Jews and they were used to oppose the Islamic movement. Even Umno is doing this now – using the ulamas to oppose the Islamic movement.

"I wonder why Umno did not take national leaders for its Kelantanese candidates – why resort to ulamas after finishing millions of ringgit in giving away BR1M? If they had finished giving away so much money, they do not have to resort to emulating PAS by fielding ulamas. It shows that Umno itself is already shaky. If you want to emulate PAS, copy everything – follow Islam," said Nik Aziz.

He also questioned as to "what kind of ulamas join Umno – for it was Umno which wanted judi bola (betting on football matches) to be made legal in Kelantan".

Nik Aziz was referring to the federal government's attempt to legalise sports betting ahead of the 2010 World Cup. However, the move was aborted due to opposition from several quarters.

Umno has in recent years courted some renown ulamas to boost their Islamic image among the Malays.

On allegations that PAS is very dictatorial, Nik Aziz also said it is not true that PAS members are not allowed to question their leaders.

"How can you be sure of something when you do not question? One must always question. I am always questioned and I say to PAS members, question your leaders. Blind following is not allowed in Islam," said Nik Aziz.

Nik Aziz said that the main struggle of PAS is to bring "a change in the mindset" of the people.

"We want people to change their mindset – that this world is not forever. PAS is for all Malaysians – not only for the Malays, but also for the Chinese and Indians. Islam tells us to treat all properly," said Nik Aziz.

On the allegations by Umno that illegal logging and corruption are rife in Kelantan under PAS, Nik Aziz challenged his critics to show proof.

"In 20 years under my administration, the anti-corruption agencies have never been able to convict any of my officers. We denounced Umno because of their corruption, and it will not be right if we come into power and end up being corrupted too.

"I tell my officers, you are answerable to God – not to me or to anyone else – for you answer in the hereafter for your doings. The character is of priority and the mindset must be changed to include the world and the hereafter," said Nik Aziz.

Watch the interview here.