Thunderous silence

Jordan MacVay Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Jordan MacVay

Nik Aziz has made his stance on Israel clear but has yet to comment on what Anwar said about supporting Israel. (Graphic by Dayang Norazhar/The Mole)

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas siritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat lashed out today at unnamed quarters he accused of supporting Israel, but has remained silent on the issue of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent remarks in the Wall Street Journal in support of Israel.

It was reported in that Anwar had met with Nik Aziz and Pas information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man earlier in the day to discuss the issue.

Anwar was quoted as saying, "Nik Aziz heard and listened to my explanation. I understand PAS' strong and clear views on the issue of Israel."

"I feel good now that I have explained and cleared any doubt there was over the statement made,"

Anwar also said he would not sue the Wall Street Journal because its report "was not wrong".

Nik Aziz published a statement in his Facebook profile this afternoon, stating Pas' stance on the issue of relations with Israel.

"I would like to reiterate that my stance and that of the Pas Syura Council is that we do not recognise the rights of Jews to even one inch of Palestinian land that until today has been confiscated," he said, adding: "All differences aside, Pas is firm on its stance."

Absent from Nik Aziz's statement was any mention of his meeting with Anwar, or of the Wall Street Journal controversy.

Instead, Nik Aziz pointed fingers at unnamed quarters who he accused of being hypocritical regarding Israel.

"Surprisingly," he said, "certain parties who seem very anti-Jewish nonetheless maintain trade relations with Israel and even allow Israeli ships to dock at our nation’s ports."

He said the people in question were in fact "ayam jantan yang berkokok gagah sedangkan ekornya bergelumang najis!merely roosters that crow loudly while their tails are smeared with excrement.)"