PASIR SALAK: Pakatan Harapan candidate for Pasir Salak Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz disputed the opinion that his PKR ticket meant he was not defending his father's legacy.
The son of the late Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat gave the analogy that his father brought (to politics) a container with filling, the former being his party and the latter, his principles.
"We can choose either to have the container or the filling. I choose the filling because that is Tok Guru's legacy and fighting spirit,"
"So many people have asked me why I chose a risky area. I told them that if the leader - Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — chose a risky seat (Tambun), I, as an "army member", would feel ashamed to pick a safe seat," he said.
He added that PH has taken a bold and drastic momentum to prove to Malaysians that the coalition's leaders are capable of running the country.
"Why am I here with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim? Because I want to continue Tok Guru's legacy. I want Malaysians to give Anwar a chance to rule the country.
"He (Anwar) has his principles, his morals. He has a big soul and he had gone through numerous challenges which most of us could not endure, but he made it through.
"He is a 70-year-old plus man, he doesn't think about himself, he only thinks about the country and the people," he said when met in Jalan Teluk Intan- Pekan Baru, in Kampung Gajah, here.
Asked if he would use the name of his father in his campaign to attract voters, Nik Omar said voters are more mature and open-minded.
"If I do not mention my father's name, the people here already know that I am Tok Guru's son.
"They also know Tok Guru. They still love Tok Guru even though he is no longer here. The love and respect are still there," he said.
On contesting the Pasir Salak parliament seat, Nik Omar said weeks after the parliament was dissolved, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli had a press conference after the Ayuh Malaysia event.
"He openly said leaders who are interested to contribute to the country (by being a candidate) even though that person is not active in politics, can do so. This is a new approach and I grabbed that chance," he said.
Nik Omar said that he met Anwar and Rafizi and they decided that he would be fielded in Pasir Salak - a Umno's stronghold.
"I met them and they mentioned (that I will contest in) Pasir Salak, I accepted it. I asked them why Pasir Salak? He (Rafizi) said to pair with Anwar in Tambun.
"If the top leader has decided where you would be contested, I am sure PKR supporters would support it. We are still on good terms," he said, adding he is still an Amanah member, but is contesting in the GE15 on PKR ticket.
Pasir Salak parliamentary seat will see a four-cornered fight among Zairol Hizam Zakaria (Pejuang); Nik Omar (PH); Jamaludin Yahya (PN) and Khairul Azwan Harun (BN).