Nik Aziz cautions PR leaders over corruption of power
2010/01/25
KOTA BARU: Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yesterday reminded Pakatan Rakyat leaders that they risk losing their hold on power if they let corruption become their culture.
"I have to remind them because they are new to governing the states. If they adopt the culture of corruption, I fear they will lose power as the people will reject them."
He said this after holding a reception for a group of 70 PKR members from the Indian community in Kapar, Selangor, at the menteri besar's official residence here. Their two-day visit to Kelantan was organised by Kapar member of parliament S. Manikavasagam.
Nik Aziz said his advice to his allies was based on his experience as a state government leader for almost 20 years.
"They are new and at an early stage of tasting power. I hope that power will not lull them into complacency and self-indulgence at the expense of providing service to the people.
"Pakatan Rakyat leaders should not be upset with my reminder because I am an old hand in politics.
"They have only been in power for about two years, whereas I have been running the state government for 20 years," he said.
Nik Aziz also denied a claim that the state government has sold "Rumah Kelantan", a state-owned official residence located in Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle.
He said the Rumah Kelantan site in Jalan Conlay would be redeveloped into an 18-storey building.
Bernama yesterday published a report on its website quoting Kota Baru Umno chief Datuk Fatmi Che Salleh as saying that Rumah Kelantan had been sold to a businessman and the proceeds from the sale were used to cover the state government expenditure.
He said it was a complicated process for the state government to get the project off the ground.
"My son-in-law (Abdul Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman, who is chief executive officer of Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated) had to shuttle between Kelantan and Kuala Lumpur many times to complete the various procedures regarding the project."
