Friday 29 Mar 2024
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BELOW is an excerpt of an interview with Nik Omar in his hometown in Kota Baru on his eleventh-hour entry into politics, his view on PAS, his approach on Islam, partnering Mahathir, and his plans after GE14. (The main story to this Q&A can be read here)

Q: Why such a last minute decision? You gave a statement a few days before nomination day that your family did not agree with you contesting.

A: At the end, after all else is considered, it is the best time for me to do so. I made the call the night before nomination… it was the toughest decision in my life so far.

The late Tok Guru's approach places great importance on public interest and greater good over the interest of individuals or certain groups.

We respect PAS' decision [not to join Pakatan], but we see its approach has slightly diverted from this original track. (The PAS-led coalition) Gagasan Sejahtera is too weak. This is about winning votes.

Additionally my brother [Nik Abduh], who has been in politics longer than I have, was not named as a candidate in Pengkalan Chepa, despite being one of the more suitable choices. From a political perspective, the Bachok parliamentary seat is not a safe seat [for PAS].

So there was a void I feel needed to be filled.

Q: Your action will steal votes from PAS, not from Barisan Nasional, will it?

A: It goes back to who has the better chances of toppling the current federal government.

The opposition has fought so many years to overthrow BN. So the question is why did PAS suddenly take a different approach despite it being the best time to do so?

Umno is past its expiry date, it cannot be fixed. Supposedly in politics, we cannot provide a crutch for them… Let them fall and become a healthy opposition. Pakatan can do that.

Q: But you will also hurt PAS in Kelantan.

A: You must choose a team that can manage the country's resources — including in Kelantan. The call "develop with Islam" was touted since the days of Tok Guru, and has continued since.

But it is an issue if the management is poor. One example is the issues with cleanliness and water supply in Kelantan, which have persisted even after so many years.

Nowadays it is no longer about who is closer to Islam, especially between PAS and Pakatan Harapan. Pakatan, too, has Islam at its core. The difference is in the approach.

Q: What is your opinion on partnering with DAP?

A: I feel the current DAP is no different from the days of Tok Guru. If they say they disagree with Islam, I say "fittingly". Because they are [led by] non-Muslims.

In Putrajaya, [DAP candidate for Segambut] Hannah Yeoh openly said, "I am not anti-Islam." Even if you call it a tactic, we hold on to those words.

[DAP National Organising Secretary] Anthony Loke said DAP upholds the Federal Constitution, the royal institution, the Malay language. Such cooperation is sealed in the [Paktan Harapan] President's council. Among 15 members, only four are non-Muslims. Why don't we have confidence?

Q: How will you advocate shariah laws with Pakatan Harapan?

A: When Tok Guru brought up hudud, he wanted to expose both Muslims and non-Muslims to the idea that Islamic law is the best method to curb crimes. But he did not rush.

Hudud law is just one small chapter in Islam. There are other bigger issues to be focused on, and this is what has been agreed on in Pakatan Rakyat — not to simply raise the challenges of shariah implementation.

But does that mean we were not confident with Islam? No, it was because we were focused on the issues at hand. Clean governance, prudent spending, is also emphasised under shariah.

Like in Turkey, [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan never said he wanted to implement shariah laws, but all his policies are based on Islamic policies.

Q: How do you feel about working with Tun Mahathir?

A: The people who should have the toughest time forgiving Tun should be the family of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim because they were directly involved. But they have a big heart.

And we hope Tun is sincere in his apology. One way he is doing that is by working towards correcting the errors in this country's administration.

If Tun has apologised, we accept. Islam clears the errors of the past if the person repents and corrects them. Tok Guru praised Tun for his expertise, but said he did not use it for Islam. Now we give him the chance.

Q: Win or lose, will you stay in politics after GE14?

A: When we have made a decision, we will not take a step backwards. I will continue [in politics].

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