November 14, 2009 16:29 PM

Issue Of Morality Raised Over Nik Aziz's Sponsored Haj Trip

By Mohd Razman Abdullah

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's decision to cancel his sponsored pilgrimage following negative media reports has raised a question over the morality of having accepted the offer in the first place.

Another matter that has also come up again is the appointment of his son-in-law, Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman, as the chief executive officer of Kelantan Mentri Besar Incorporated (PMBK).

Certain quarters have called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the Haj sponsorship and the PMBK appointment.

Pasir Mas Member of Parliament Datuk Ibrahim Ali said Nik Abdul Aziz's earlier decision to accept the RM65,000 sponsorship to perform the Haj on Nov 18 was unwise.

"If the sponsor is sincere in sponsoring Haj trips and is seeking 'barakah' (blessings), he should sponsor the needy, disabled or single mothers," he said when approached here on Saturday.

He said the PAS spiritual leader's decision and the motive of the sponsorship could be misconstrued by the people. Nik Abdul Aziz decided to cancel his pilgrimage to Mecca yesterday following the controversy.

Meanwhile, the merit of Abdul Ariffahmi's appointment as PMBK CEO had been raised again following the sacking of blogger Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz or Sheih Kickdefella as the body's corporate liaison officer recently.

The blogger claimed that his contract was terminated for allegedly lodging a report with the MACC about mismanagement in PMBK and providing information to a Barisan Nasional state assemblyman.

Syed Azidi claimed that the appointment of Abdul Ariffahmi as PMBK CEO by Nik Abdul Aziz contravened the MACC Act.

Abdul Ariffahmi retorted by saying that he was ready to provide information on the alleged irregularities to the MACC and wanted the commission to announce the outcome of the investigation.

In RANTAU PANJANG, Md Nasir Rani reports that Umno Youth Religious Bureau chairman Afandi Yusoff today asked the MACC to investigate the offer of the sponsored Haj trip to Nik Abdul Aziz, saying firm action had to be taken because the PAS spiritual adviser had executive authority in the state government.

"Umno Youth urges MACC to investigate the Haj sponsor of past years which the menteri besar has acknowledged as well as the sponsor of this year's trip and anyone who may have booked to sponsor the trip next year," he told reporters.

-- BERNAMA

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