Nik Aziz's granddaughter gives stinging take on Anwar govt after posthumous 'Tan Sri' award

A grandchild of Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has penned a scathing criticism of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government, days after the late PAS spiritual leader was given a posthumous federal award in conjunction with the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Nik Nur Humaira claimed that her family was initially given the impression that Nik Aziz would be bestowed the title of "Tun".

"Instead, when the palace letter arrived, we were surprised to be told that it was only the 'Tan Sri' title. Alas, not strange because the one who has been announcing this is known as the Rhetoric Man, just as Tun M (Mahathir) calls it," she said in a Facebook post over the weekend.

Nik Aziz, the Kelantan menteri besar who ruled for more than two decades, was among 26 who received the 'Tan Sri' title, including Lim Kit Siang.

The move to bestow the DAP stalwart with the nation's second highest award ignited a debate on social media, with many recalling DAP's past declarations that it was not the party's culture to accept royal titles.

It also drew a snide remark from former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who asked if Lim was now placed on the same level as Nik Aziz.

Meanwhile, former Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin said that recipients of federal titles would normally be vetted by the Prime Minister's Department.

"Normally, these high awards will receive the consent or recommendation of the prime minister. 

"There is the Agong's list, but the bigger list is the PM's list, because these are federal government honours, bestowed by the king, of course. 

"I suppose Anwar wants to reward his comrades, and nothing wrong with that, I guess," he said in a recent edition of his political podcast, "Keluar Sekejap".

Nik Humaira in her post also questioned the manner in which the invitation for the investiture ceremony at the palace was delivered to her grandmother, Nik Aziz's widow Tuan Sabariah Tuan Ishak.

"The letter of invitation from the palace was not given through the state government. Instead, it was sent through Allahyarham's second son, our respected uncle who chose to contest under PKR in Perak," she said, referring to Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz, who was previously criticised by Tuan Sabariah for supporting Anwar.

Nik Omar was fielded as a Pakatan Harapan candidate in Pasir Salak, Perak, but lost to Perikatan Nasional.

Nik Humaira said her grandmother decided to attend the ceremony out of respect for the palace, adding that the family does not look down on the "Tan Sri" title.

"But we were surprised because this great ulama of the ummah was placed together with his political and religious foe from DAP," she wrote.

"It is obvious that in the eyes of Malaysia Madani, the scholar who struggled relentlessly for Islam is the same as someone with chauvinist understandings and who does not accept Malaysia as an Islamic country."

She said her post was a response to several narratives from PAS' enemies, such as the one that Nik Aziz was never conferred the "Tan Sri" title even when PAS was part of the federal government.

Adding that Nik Aziz's personality was being used by certain quarters, she said he was not interested in worldly titles as "they are no match to God's rewards and pleasure".

"True recognition is more beneficial when the ideas of this leader fought are pursued, his biography is written, and his vision is raised to a higher platform."