Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat was widely regarded as a great and uniquely influential leader in Malaysia, celebrated for his personal integrity, humility, and moral authority.
Affectionately known as "Tok Guru", he lived a modest lifestyle and rejected material wealth, standing out in contrast to typical political norms and prioritized community welfare over power, maintaining open communication and strong grassroots connections.
"Defending Malays? How much is a Malay worth in the afterlife? Allah will not ask in the hereafter whether you are Malay or Chinese. But He will ask what is the value of your taqwa (piety) and the good deeds you have done for the universe."
The above, reportedly was a quote attributed to Tok Guru Nik Aziz.
During a February 2011 response to ethnic nationalism debates, he stated:
"Sebagaimana seruan azan memanggil solat, disebutkan 'Allahu Akbar', maka yang Maha Besar ialah Allah bukannya Melayu atau Cina atau India."
He famously emphasized that ethnic divisions hold no value in the eyes of God and frequently criticized the narrow pursuit of ethnic nationalism (such as Ketuanan Melayu or Malay supremacy) over Islamic principles.
In 2002, he famously dismissed any possibility of the party sharing power with Umno and Barisan Nasional again.
Again, in 2008, in an interview having just returned from his 13-day umrah pilgrimage, in response to rumors that Umno has extended its olive branch to PAS again in the name of collaborating for the sake of ‘Malay unity’ after BN’s humiliating setback in the March 8 2004 general election, Tok Guru again reiterate that cooperation between UMNO and PAS will never happen.
Reportedly, Tok Guru's rejection of an alliance with UMNO was so absolute that no one in the party dared to propose it to him directly while he was alive, with remarks circulating that anyone wishing to pursue such cooperation would have to "wait until Nik Aziz dies"
His passing in 2015, removed an important obstacle for factions within PAS that are keen to work with Umno.
Later in the same year, 2015, 3 senior PAS leaders, notably PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad and Vice President Idris Ahmad spoke up strongly rejecting any cooperation and stressed that there will be no merger between PAS and Umno.
Tuan Ibrahim reportedly said PAS did not want to be responsible for Umno’s betrayal to Islam while Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad reportedly said that Umno’s wrongs towards PAS were too serious to be forgiven by the party's grassroots.
Vice President Idris Ahmad even further stating that if any individual wants to merge or wants Umno, then only the person should go.
What has changed now from 2015 for PAS to be pushing for closer rapport with UMNO?
Are the 3 senior PAS leaders believed that they are upholding Tok Guru's values over blind loyalty to the individual?
The 3 senior PAS leaders should be reminded that lasting progress relies on a shared purpose rather than allegiance to a single personality.
One wonders would the present cooperation with UMNO continued if Tok Guru is alive?
What did Tok Guru Nik Aziz `pesan' before he left this world?
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