Nik Aziz to Najib: Let’s meet to set debate terms

Time to talk apparently for Nik Aziz, with the PM. - Picture by Jack Ooi

KOTA BAHARU, July 5 — PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is ready to meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to discuss the proposed debate between them.

The Kelantan menteri besar said the meeting, however, was not a pre-condition for the debate but more towards discussing its guideline.

Speaking to reporters at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport here on his return from Kuala Lumpur, Nik Aziz said the official letter inviting the Najib to the debate had already been sent.

“We have not received any response yet,” he added.

Asked to comment on claims that the debate invitation was to divert attention from the collapse of the proposed unity government talks, Nik Aziz said, the call for a debate with Umno was not new.

“We have been wanting to debate with Umno since PAS’ inception in 1951,” he said.

He added that his invitation to Najib for the debate was made following a police report lodged by the Umno Youth claiming that Nik Aziz’s ceramah was seditious as he likened Umno to communism and deviant teaching.

Nik Aziz said there would be no end to the standoff between PAS and Umno if the two parties did not come face-to-face in a debate.

“I just want to ask two things — why reject Islam and embrace nationalism, and what is wrong with the policy implemented by PAS, especially in Kelantan,” he said. — Bern