KOTA BHARU: Nik Mohamad Abduh, son of the late Pas spiritual adviser Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, has decided to take a break from politics following his failure to be nominated as a candidate in the state elections.
He was initially touted as a potential Pas candidate for the Chempaka seat in Kelantan. However, the slot instead went to Nik Bahrum Nik Abdullah.
Nik Mohamed Abduh, who was a former Bachok member of parliament, said it has been a difficult period not just for him but also for his mother, Puan Sri Tuan Sabarian Tuan Ishak.
He nevertheless hoped that Pas would continue to grow in strength with a strong leadership.
"I am 'fasting' and taking a break from politics for a while. It has been a tough time for me as well as my mother.
"May Pas continue to grow in strength, with capable leaders to lead the country," he said in a brief Facebook post.
Nik Mohamed Abduh's non-selection as the Chempaka candidate generated controversy after his uncle, Nik Din Nik Mat, accused Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, who is the caretaker deputy Kelantan menteri besar, as being behind the move.
Nik Din had claimed that Nik Mohamad Abduh was initially selected as a candidate, only for the decision to be rejected by Mohd Amar.
He claimed that he had personally met Pas president Tan Sri Hadi Awang in Rusila on June 23, and given an assurance that Nik Mohamed Abduh would become a candidate.
He alleged that Hadi himself had sent a letter to Kelantan Pas, asking it to list Nik Mohamed Abduh as a candidate.
Mohd Amar has since labelled the accusation as slander and untrue.