Tens of thousands bid farewell to Tok Guru

It is a sombre day in Kelantan as thousands flock to Pulau Melaka to pay their last respects to PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who had led the state as menteri besar for 23 years.

People have been makinng a beeline outside his house since last night, resulting in a sudden surge of vehicles in the sleepy hollow of Pulau Melaka.

Authorities have cordoned off the area, thus those visiting his home would have to make a 3km trek on foot.

The authorities have been providing a shuttle service from the Sultan Muhammad IV stadium in Kota Bharu from 7.30am.

LIVE reports follows:

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Reporting and photos by Nigel Aw, Zulaikha Zulkifli and Lim Huey Teng.

11.30am: While Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was spotted in a police car heading from Nik Aziz's house to the burial ground some 500m away, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang was spotted leaving the area riding pillion on a motorcycle.

11am: Funeral rites are almost complete and the crowd is slowly dispersing.

10.40am: The casket bearing Nik Aziz remains is seen being carried by his family members along Jalan Long Sulaiman to the burial site nearby.

PAS leaders including Dr Hatta Ramli and Dzulkefly Ahmad are spotted leading the group.

At times the crowd would rush forward to see Nik Aziz's remains, creating a chaotic scene due to the pushing and shoving.

10.32am: The congregation trickling out to the burial ground is asked to make a path for an entourage to pass through.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is seen in one of the police vehicles heading towards the burial grounds.

10.18am: There is little police presence among the 10,000 congregation. Some are seen shaking the policemens' hands to thank them for their service.

10.00am: The sea of well-wishers start moving to the burial ground 600 metres away.

The thousands in white skull caps walking silently to pay their last respects paints a touching picture.

Curious onlookers have climbed onto cars and abandoned houses to catch a glimpse.

9.45am: PKR legal bureau chief Latheefa Koya says PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's family has requested that Anwar be let out of prison today to pay respects to Nik Aziz.

The 'one in a million' has left us

Kelantan has lost one of its greatest sons and a voice of moderation in Pakatan Rakyat has fallen silent.

Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was revered and respected, even among non-Muslims.

He would be best remembered as a voice of defiance against BN since 1990 when the east coast state went to the opposition alliance of PAS and Semangat 46, before there was Barisan Alternatif or Pakatan.

With this victory, Kelantan under Nik Aziz had to face a cut in federal funds which were supposed to be allocated to the state government.

Despite this setback, Nik Aziz managed to persevere with the limited funds the state had, and went on to rule for more than two decades.

Popularly referred to as "Tok Guru", he was known for his humble ways, opting to stay in his modest house in Pulau Melaka and not in the Kelantan MB official residence.

He continued to conduct religious classes on a weekly basis despite being the MB at the famous Siti Khadijah market.

In leading a modest lifestyle despite running the state, he garnered the respect of Malaysians as a clean and honest politician.

Nik Aziz initially studied in Besut, Terengganu, before furthering his studies at Universiti Deoband, India and Universiti Lahore, in Pakistan.

He then furthered his studies at the famous Islamic institution Al-Azhar university in Egypt. He obtained a basic degree in the Arabic language and a Masters in Islamic Law.

A PAS member since 1967, he first contested for the Kelantan Hilir parliamentary seat now known as Pengkalan Chepa, and until 2013, he contested in the Chempaka state seat.

PM stops speech to announce Nik Aziz's death

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who was giving a speech at the 15th Cheras Education Foundation anniversary celebration stopped abruptly for a few moments when notified of former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's death.

Najib who was informed by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor paused for a few moments before informing those present at the anniversary celebration about the death and offered the 'Al-Fatihah' prayers for the PAS spiritual leader.

The prime minister also offered his condolences through his Twitter account saying "Innalillahiwainnalilahirajiun. I am saddened by the demise of Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat. May his soul rest in peace, 'Al-Fatihah'.”

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also offered his condolences to the family of the late Nik Aziz through his Twitter account.

"Moga roh beliau ditempatkan bsama hamba2Nya yg soleh," tweeted Muhyiddin.
  
The former Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual leader passed away at his house in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru at 9.40pm tonight.

 

Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/289144

Tok Guru Nik Aziz dies

KOTA BARU: The spiritual leader of PAS and former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has succumbed to his illness at age 84.

PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar told the press that Nik Aziz passed away at his residence in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru at 9.45pm. He was suffering from prostate cancer.

At 8.30pm this evening, Nik Aziz was brought home from Hospital Universiti Sain Malaysia (HUSM) in Kubang Kerian after he was taken off respiratory support.

Earlier this afternoon, his son Nik Mohamad Abduh confirmed his father was in a critical state after doctors tried treating an ulcer.

“My father’s health was critical after doctors treated his ulcer last night,” Nik Abduh said.

Many had gathered at his home upon his return from hospital this evening including vice-president of PAS Husam Musa.

Nik Aziz, was born on January 10, 1931 to a single father, who was an aspiring blacksmith in his hometown of Pulau Melaka, Kelantan.

The second of five siblings, he furthered his studies at Darul Uloom Deoband in Uttar Pradesh, India for five years, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Studies and a Master of Arts in Islamic jurisprudence from Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

He was able to converse in Arabic, English, Tamil and Urdu.

He joined PAS in 1967 and helmed the Kelantan government for 23 years as Chempaka assemblyman under the Pengkalan Chepa constituency.

Nik Aziz retired in 2013 and was replaced by his deputy, Ahmad Yakob.

He leaves behind his wife Tuan Sabariah Tuan Ishak and 10 children.

Source : http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/02/12/tok-guru-nik-aziz-dies/

PM stops speech to announce Nik Aziz's death

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who was giving a speech at the 15th Cheras Education Foundation anniversary celebration stopped abruptly for a few moments when notified of former Kelantan menteri besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's death.

Najib who was informed by Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor paused for a few moments before informing those present at the anniversary celebration about the death and offered the 'Al-Fatihah' prayers for the PAS spiritual leader.

The prime minister also offered his condolences through his Twitter account saying "Innalillahiwainnalilahirajiun. I am saddened by the demise of Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat. May his soul rest in peace, 'Al-Fatihah'.”

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also offered his condolences to the family of the late Nik Aziz through his Twitter account.

"Moga roh beliau ditempatkan bsama hamba2Nya yg soleh," tweeted Muhyiddin.
  
The former Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual leader passed away at his house in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru at 9.40pm tonight.

 

Source :http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/289144