KOTA BHARU – PAS spiritual advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat has asked his son-in-law, Abdul Ariffahmi Rahman to step down as the chief executive officier of Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated.

He said the decision to call for his son-in-law's resignation was made on the advice of PAS central leaders at a meeting here on Monday.

Present at the meeting were PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy spiritual advisor Haron Din, vice-president Salahudin Ayub and treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli.

They had conveyed to Nik Aziz their suggestion that he gives this advice to Ariffahmi to ease the tension and suspicions arising from the appointment of the MB’s son-in-law to head the important corporation.

"All of them advised me to safeguard the good name of Islam and PAS. Their advice was for my son-in-law to relinquish the post," h

e told a press conference at his official residence here after the meeting.

"When I appointed him before, the (state) legal officer did not say anything. So I appointed him," added Nik Aziz, who is Kelantan mentri besar.

Ariffahmi, who was present at the news conference, said he accepted the decision and would tender his resignation.

Under probe by MACC

The controversy about Ariffahmi erupted after a former corporate liaison officer of the corporation, Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz, also known as the e blogger 'Kickdefella', alleged abuse of power and mismanagement after Ariffahmi removed him as corporate liaison officer on Nov 10.

He threatened to “tell all” and also claimed in his blog that Nik Aziz had asked his son-in law to step down earlier.

Ariffahmi, who is under probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, has vehemently denied allegations of financial irregularities involving him and the entity he leads.

Nik Aziz has also come under public scrutiny after he accepted, and later cancelled, the sponsorship of RM65,000 to perform the haj.

The trip which was supposed to include Ariffahmi was said to have been paid by an individual who is alleged to be one of the contractors who benefited from Kelantan Mentri Besar Inc.

Son-in-law an Umno member

In another development, an email received by Malaysian Mirror stated that Ariffahmi is an Umno member from the Kampung Chakong branch in the Machang division. His family members are said to be also staunch Umno loyalists.

The writer said since Nik Aziz had been opposed to the PAS-Umno unity concept and had made many criticisms against Umno, it was strange that he had allowed his son-in-law to take the CEO’s post in MB Inc. – Malaysian Mirror<