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‘Ahmad is the chosen one to succeed Tok Guru’

The Star (17/5/08): Kelantan has set out a succession plan, so the identity of the person who will take over from Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat should no longer be an issue, said PAS strategist Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah.

“If Tok Guru (Nik Aziz) had wanted another person, he would have picked someone else as Deputy Mentri Besar. By appointing (Datuk) Ahmad Yakob for a second term, it is clear that this (Ahmad) is his choice,” he said in an interview.

He noted that Ahmad, 58, was also Kelantan PAS deputy commissioner I, and therefore second to Nik Aziz in the party hierarchy. Ahmad is also the Mentri Besar's deputy in a number of state bodies.

Rahim, the Kota Baru MP, described Ahmad as a person who was “perut betul” (Kelantanese colloquialism for someone who is very “straight” in dealings and thoughts).

“He harbours no feelings of jealousy, does not engage in backstabbing, prejudice or revenge. With him, you don’t need to watch your back,” he said, adding that Nik Aziz recognised these traits in himself.

“He is also not ambitious and until now says he does not want to be Mentri Besar and is not capable of being the Mentri Besar. Tok Guru likes this sort of humility,” he said.

Kelantanese also appreciate Ahmad’s credentials as an Al- Azhar University graduate and an Islamic scholar, he added.

As for Datuk Husam Musa who has been touted as a favourite to succeed Nik Aziz, Rahim said: ”Husam will have his time later.”

Rahim pointed out that as the state deputy commissioner II and exco in charge of economic planning, finance and welfare, Husam was next in line after Ahmad.

He said although Ahmad was low key, he had achieved much success in dealing with illegal land settlers.

In Kuala Krai, Tanah Merah, Gua Musang and Jeli, he said, the Deputy Mentri Besar had embarked on a perbadanan ladang rakyat (people’s estate corporation), giving RM200 each month in dividends to 3,000 hardcore poor.

“The project’s success was apparent in the 2008 elections. We took six out of 10 state seats in Hulu Kelantan, including Umno strongholds,” he said.

Nevertheless, Rahim believes that the 77-year-old Nik Aziz has no plans to retire as yet.

“He is going to continue until he drops. There is no need for him to stop,” he said.