PAS’ Nik Aziz dead?

Word of Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s death from heart complications this evening was shortlived with the PAS spiritual leader’s social media administrators rubbishing the rumour as false.

The rumour that started to circulate on Whatsapp group chats alleged that the former Kelantan Mentri Besar had died due to heart complications at the state’s Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.

But the 83-year-old’s Twitter account administrator just minutes ago posted on Nik Aziz’s Twitter account, @nikabdulaziz, saying the rumour was “not true”.

“Rumours that said YB Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz has passed away due to heart complications in social media now is not true, and is defamation spread by irresponsible quarters,” the Malay-language post which is linked to the senior PAS leader’s Facebook account said.

At the time of writing, the Facebook post has received 823 ‘likes’ by Facebook users.

When contacted, PAS central committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also confirmed that the rumour was false, telling Malay Mail Online in a brief text message: “Nope....Thank God.”

This is not the first time where rumours of Nik Aziz’s death had spread through social media, with current Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob reportedly dismissing a similar rumour in July.

Nik Aziz led the Kelantan state government for 23 years until last year, when he stepped down from office and was succeeded by Datuk Ahmad Yaakob.
Nik Aziz has been in and out of hospital in recent years due to health issues.

The veteran Islamist party leader remains popular even among non-Muslim supporters of federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat.

-themalaymail