Kelantan football fans storm stadium for FA Cup finals tickets

Kelantan football fans stormed the main entrance of the stadium on hearing the news that tickets for the FA Cup finals between Kelantan and Johor have been sold out in 10 minutes at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV today.

Nik Aziz: No PAS-Umno unity government as long as I’m alive

PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has vowed never to permit his party to form a unity government with Umno while he drew breath, saying he found no reason for such a co-operation.

In an interview with PAS organ Harakah published today, the former Kelantan mentri besar also issued a stern reminder to party members to never pursue the effort.

He said apart from a clash in party ideologies, there were many other issues that would render it impossible for PAS to join hands with Umno.

“No one can organise efforts for cooperation between PAS and Umno, much less do it quietly... this party is open to everyone and belongs to its members.

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Protest over Kelantan exco line-up

Pas members protesting against the appointments of new Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and state executive councillors at the Kota Darulnaim Complex yesterday

A power struggle seemed to be brewing in Kelantan Pas when more than 100 supporters of its deputy commissioner, Datuk Husam Musa, staged a protest yesterday against his exclusion from the state's executive council line-up.

Their move was unprecedented as there had never been any public demonstration by party members against any decision made by their leaders in the past.

The protesters began to converge in front of the main entrance of Kota Darulnaim, the state government's administration complex, from 9.30am.

Holding banners, they questioned the appointments of new Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and state executive councillors, who were sworn in at the state palace on Monday.



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Kelantan after dark

Kelantan’s social fabric is being ripped apart by state govt’s apathy

KELANTAN Pas’ carefully managed image of an Islamic state, free of vice, is nothing more than a sham.

In a three-day tour of several main districts, including the state capital Kota Baru, the New Straits Times’ Special Probes Team uncovered a thriving vice industry involving prostitution, drugs and illegal gambling.

This begs the question: how is it that the team found out about this in three days, when the state government, which rejects everything that is unIslamic, couldn’t get a handle on the problem even after administering the state for 23 years? In many of these cases, the activities were conducted right under the noses of the state authorities and local councils.

Kelantan still has most HIV cases

Kelantan continues to be one of the states with the highest number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in the country, said newly-appointed Malaysian AIDS Council president Datuk Dr Raj Karim.

Sultan’s act could bring new twist in oil royalty dispute

WAN SAIFUL: Agreement is for federal govt to pay to state govt



THE Sultan of Kelantan throwing his hat into the fray of the eight-year-old oil royalty dispute between the PAS-run state government and the federal government is bound to be a game changer.

Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders approached by The Malay Mail were already feeling the discomfort as they chose not to comment on the actions of Sultan Muhammad V in signing a plaque declaring his support for the return of oil royalty payments to the state.

Umno’s Kuala Balah assemblyman Datuk Abdul Aziz Derashid — the only one who spoke on record — refused to touch on the Sultan’s public show of support at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru on Tuesday.

He instead said the issue was pending at the Kuala Lumpur High Court where the civil suit between Kelantan and Petronas began hearing on June 1.

“We will let the courts decide, anything else could be sub judice,” said the lawyer.

Tengku Fakhry, Malay Mail reach settlement over suit

File pix: Kelantan State, Prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra (centre) filed a RM 50 million defamation suit against the Malay Mail and 3 others at the Kuala Lumpur Hight Court, Jalan Duta.

The defamation suit by Kelantan prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra against The Malay Mail and two others over a report relating to the attempted murder of the Kelantan palace guard, two years ago, has been settled.

Tengku Muhammad Fakhry's lawyer A. S. Dhaliwal, told reporters that High Court Judge Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof recorded a consent judgment in chambers after both parties had reached the settlement.

He however said the amount of settlement cannot be disclosed.

Nik Aziz not ready to call it quits

Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is turning 80 but he is yet to call it quits.

The Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual leader declared yesterday he will be contesting in the coming general election.

Whether this is a calculated decision or one made at the spur of the moment in retort to calls from Umno for his retirement remains to be seen.

The question remains, though, if he will stay on as menteri besar.

“Yes, we do have a succession plan but it would be unfair for us to comment before Tok Guru has made his decision on him remaining as menteri besar,” said PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

Tok Guru, as Nik Abdul Aziz is fondly called, said there was no reason for him to step down as suggested by several delegates at the Umno general assembly last week.

“God willing, I will contest against Umno and I am not concerned if people mentioned my name at the assembly,” he was reported by Bernama as saying.

Mustapa says ready to be Kelantan MB

Tok Pa enjoys widespread grassroots support from Umno in Kelantan.


Umno’s Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed has indicated his readiness to battle the popular Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for the post of Kelantan mentri besar in the next general election.

The international trade and industry minister told The Malaysian Insider in an interview that “under normal circumstances, whoever is state Umno liaison chief... will lead the state in the event” of victory. Umno lost the state to PAS in 1990.

“Number one, he will be heading the party into elections. That is by convention; that is what happens. In the event we win, then normally he will end up being MB.

“That is the normal route people take but we cannot be pre-empting. That is for the boss to decide. I will follow orders as ‘your obedient servant,’” he said, referring to Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Kelantan: No alcohol rule for all

The Kelantan government has reminded exclusive clubs, police and army mess operators that they will not be spared the rule if they organised entertainment shows or served alcohol at their premises.

“Action will be taken against those who do not adhere to the guidelines,” State Local Government, Culture, Arts and Tourism committee chairman Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said yesterday. He was commenting on a raid carried out by the local council en-forcement unit at Kelantan Golf Club which organised a dance two days ago

Kelantan declares 12th June a public holiday

Kelantan has declared tomorrow a public holiday in conjunction with tonight's FA Cup final between Kelantan and Terengganu at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium tonight.

The announcement was made by Kelantan State Secretary Datuk Aiseri Alias to ensure the safe journey of the state football fans on their return after watching the game.

He said the state government took the initiative to declare tomorrow a holiday in appreciation of the sporting spirit showed by the state football fans.

Hadi retains PAS president post

Datuk Seri Hadi Awang returns unopposed as PAS party president while six candidates vie for the deputy president's post at party muktamar in June.

Yayasan Sultan Kelantan raises RM4.2m

Sultan Muhammad V arrives at the Yayasan Sultan Kelantan launch.

The recently established Yayasan Sultan Kelantan raised more than RM4 million (RM4,281,200) at its inaugural charity fundraising dinner held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Saturday.

In his speech, Yayasan Sultan Kelantan Board of Trustees chairman Datuk Seri Haji Mohd Aiseri Alias said charitable acts are not meant to be from the government alone, rather, it should be a citizen’s responsibility, especially those who are wealthy.

“Poverty and strife are difficulties which we hear about every day and concerted efforts from all parties are needed to overcome them,” he said.

Mat Sabu leads PAS deputy president race

PAS central committee member Mohamad Sabu is leading in the race for the post of PAS deputy president, topping the nominations received by its incumbent Nasharudin Mat Isa over the weekend.

The former Kuala Kedah MP last tried for the PAS number two spot in 2009 but lost to Nasharudin.

PAS will hold its party polls during its 57th “muktamar” (annual general meeting) at Kolej Universiti Islam Zulkifli Muhammad, Taman Melewar, Gombak, early next month.

The deadline for nominations is May 15.

PAS party election Nasharudin may find challenger in Mat Sabu

Mohamad Sabu(R) is outspoken and enjoys a streetfighter image.Nasharudin Mat Isa (L) is known as a non-confrontational politician

IN a party characterised by fiery ceramah, Nasharudin Mat Isa is not a dazzling speaker.

More ominously for the non-confrontational politician, he has attracted an assortment of critics who are loudly suggesting -- ahead of the June 3-5 muktamar-cum-election -- that a contrasting personality should replace him.

They have just the man for the job; Mohamad Sabu is outspoken and enjoys a streetfighter image. He has been detained under the Internal Security Act twice and accused of khalwat (close proximity) some years back.

Fittingly, the former Kuala Kedah member of parliament is keen.

Marriage on the cards for Kelantan Sultan

Kelantan may be welcoming a Raja Perempuan after the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, hinted that he may be getting married.

In a special new conference held on the launch of the Sultan of Kelantan Foundation here, he was asked whether a wedding was on the cards.

With a smile on his face, the Sultan replied: "InsyaAllah (God willing), I'm praying for it, and InsyaAllah, God will make it happen."

Nik Aziz: World is not safer with Osama’s death

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said Osama bin Laden’s death would not make the world safer as the United States was still terrorising Muslim states.

“Those who say the world is safer with Osama’s death are being careless and simply positioning themselves as American supporters. If the world is safer with Osama’s death, then is it also safer with the existence of America?” he asked today.

Bin Laden was killed yesterday in a firefight with US forces in Pakistan, US President Barack Obama announced this morning, who added that his body was recovered.

The militant’s body was later brought to Afghanistan and buried at sea.

In a statement released today, Nik Aziz (picture) said he was not convinced that bin Laden was dead but added that his involvement in terrorism was not proven but only driven by US propaganda.

Lottery talks stalemate

A high-powered MCA delegation to Kelantan to resolve the state’s imposition of a lottery ban resulted in a stalemate with the former saying it may resort to the courts to protect the rights of non-Muslims.

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision by the Kelantan state government under PAS, to impose the lottery ban was a violation of the fundamental rights of non-Muslims as stipulated in the constitution, reports Bernama.

"MCA is not encouraging gambling but we oppose the ban as it is the ‘fundamental right’ of non-Muslims to have the freedom of choice to gamble if they so wished.

"We (MCA) cannot accept the explanation from PAS leaders and we will discuss the matter at the Central Committee level before deciding on the next course of action," he told reporters after a meeting with state government leaders of Kelantan in Kota Darul Naim here today.

MCA rejects lottery ban explanation

MCA rejected the Kelantan government's explanation of its ruling to ban the sale of lottery tickets, said president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.

Dr Chua, who led the party's delegation in a 45-minute meeting with state officials, said while it did not encourage the public, especially Muslims, to gamble, every Malaysian should have freedom of choice. "This right is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and banning the sale of lottery tickets is a violation of that right," he said at the state MCA office.

Kelantan palace revokes Ibrahim Ali’s datukship

The Sultan of Kelantan today stripped Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali of his datukship with immediate effect.

The Pasir Mas MP was awarded the Order of the Life of the Crown of Kelantan in 2003.

Ibrahim also holds datukships from Melaka and Selangor which were awarded to him in 1994 and 1999 respectively.

The palace decision came just days after the former deputy minister visited the former ruler Tuanku Ismail Petra last week.