No urgency for succession plan, says Kelantan Deputy MB

By Adib Zalkapli- The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 – Kelantan Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob today downplayed the issue of a succession plan in the state government, arguing that Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was still capable of performing his duties.

“The matter is not urgent, we can discuss it within the party’s forum if there is a need to, but the MB is well. He should continue,” said Ahmad.

He was asked to comment reports that he is the most likely successor to Nik Aziz who has been the Kelantan mentri besar for 19 years. “It is a non-issue here,” Ahmad told The Malaysian Insider.

Ahmad is said to be the preferred candidate to take over from Nik Aziz due to his seniority in the state party hierarchy and because he is acceptable to the various factions in Kelantan PAS.

Like Nik Aziz, Ahmad who became deputy mentri besar in 2004, is also a respected religious teacher in the state.

On Monday, state executive councillor Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, in urging Nik Aziz to name his successor, said a succession plan would stabilise the Kelantan government.

Nik Aziz has not named anyone to lead the Kelantan government after his departure but said that the succession would be based on the state administration and party hierarchy.

Meanwhile, another state executive councillor Abdul Fattah Mahmood said the question of succession should only be decided collectively by the party leadership.

“Such matters should be decided by the party leaders. We have the central committee or the Dewan Harian (management committee) to deliberate on the matter,” Fattah told The Malaysian Insider.

He also said there was no need to evaluate Nik Aziz’s position. “The more he fights, the stronger he gets,” said Fattah.

Nik Aziz has been bogged down by accusations of cronyism and corruption since early this month over the controversial appointment of his son-in-law Ariffahmi Abdul Rahmad as the CEO of Kelantan Mentri Besar Corporation (PMBK) and for receiving sponsorship to perform the pilgrimage in Mecca from a businessman.

Nik Aziz has cancelled the religious trip and ordered his son-in-law to leave the state investment arm following pressure from party leaders and the public.