Nik Aziz: The Giant of a Little Man

A collection of media interviews of the late PAS Spiritual Leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. Conducted by senior journalist Zakiah Koya over a period of more than two decades, the interviews intensively portray the way Nik Abdul Aziz revealed himself to the English media. Zakiah Koya provides the background on each of the interviews, which are probably questions running through many reporters’ minds prior to interviewing prominent politicians in Malaysia. Here are some excerpts from the “We should always be open to something new. Just because you have always eaten nasi ikan kering (rice with salt fish), and if someone offers you briyani, taste it before you push the plate away. ” “The more UMNO attacks me, the more bingkas (resilient) I will be. Therefore, they are not smart—for when they attack me, I will be more resilient. ” “UMNO is like the cat, it will pounce, take and then hide with its booty .” “I would like to know why UMNO does not make Islam as its basis and (instead) goes on nationalism. Is it because Islam is expired?” “I say to PAS members, question your leaders. Blind following is not allowed in Islam.”