Who will succeed Nik Aziz as Kelantan menteri besar?

2009/11/26

Nik Imran Abdullah and Shuhada Elis

I'm not qualified, says Datuk Husam Musa. KOTA BARU: Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was seen to be grooming him as his successor but Datuk Husam Musa yesterday made a shocking announcement that he was not interested in, nor “qualified” for the post.

Husam, who is state executive councillor for economic planning, finance and welfare, said he should not be nominated to the menteri besar’s post as there were others who were more qualified than him.

“I am serious. I don’t want to be named as the successor,” he said when asked about a suggestion by his colleague, exco member Datuk Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, that Nik Aziz named his successor early to avert any discord in Kelantan Pas.

Nik Amar had said that ample time was needed to plan the transition to ensure the party’s stability.

Asked whether he would accept if Nik Aziz nominated him as his successor, Husam said his name should not be considered in the first place as he had requested not to be named as the successor.

On who he thought had the capabilities from among the state executive council members, Husam said everybody was qualified but singled out Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob as one of the credible leaders.

“The deputy menteri besar is the most qualified as he is the most senior leader although I believe that everybody else also qualifies.

“The only one who is not qualified is me.”

Husam said he would support anyone who was named as the successor of Nik Aziz.
He said there were a few ways for the transition of power to take place such as
through the “natural transition” process.

“If Tok Guru comes to an end as menteri besar in the future, there will naturally be a transition process,” he said, adding that it did not matter if
the transition schedule was put in place.

“I am interested in the prime minister’s post. If the post is offered to me, I will take it,” he said in jest.

Husam had earlier visited a single mother with 12 children in Kampung Bechah Keranji to break the news that a donor had agreed to build a new house costing RM40,000 for the family.

In Kuala Lumpur, Pas vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar chided Nik Amar for urging
Nik Aziz to name his successor, adding that it was premature and contradicted the principles of the party.

Mahfuz said the state Pas deputy commissioner’s move would only make things worse for the party as the decision on who led Kelantan was not the sole prerogative of Nik Aziz.

“Asking Nik Aziz to decide on who will be his successor contradicts the party’s stand. The decision is not solely for Nik Aziz to make. It should be the party’s decision,” he said when met at Parliament yesterday.

Mahfuz said the issue should not arise at all as Nik Aziz would know the right
time for him to step down and suggest his successor for the party’s central committee to discuss.

“There is no need to worry (on who will be the successor) because there is no pressure whatsoever for Nik Aziz to decide,” he said, adding that the party’s leadership had not discussed anything on the succession plan.

Another vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub, however defended Nik Amar’s statement, saying the seasoned Pas leader was free to air his views as he was also one of the senior state executive council members.

“Perhaps Kelantan Pas has more wisdom on the issue so they are open to discuss about it. But it is up to Tok Guru to respond to the views.”

He confirmed that the leadership had never discussed the succession plan as Nik
Aziz was relevant to the people.

“Maybe this is just a culture in politics. People like to talk about who will replace Tok Guru as he is an icon, not only for those in Kelantan or Pas members, but also for non-Muslims,” Salahuddin said.

He said Nik Aziz was also free to suggest anyone to replace him and the party would deliberate on his proposal.

Pas secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said the issue might be discussed at the state level.

“There are many other things that we should give attention to rather than discussing the (succession) plan.

“However, it is up to Tok Guru to suggest because he knows who is the most qualified to replace him.”

Yesterday, Nik Aziz reportedly said that he would not step down as menteri besar
yet but envisioned that his successor would be appointed based on the Kelantan Pas’ hierarchy.