Political observer Sayuti Omar said Nik Abduh’s standing in PAS is fading by the day after not being nominated to defend his Bachok parliamentary seat in the last general election (GE15) or as a candidate in the Aug 12 state election.

“If Nik Abduh doesn’t do something, he will continue to be sidelined in politics. Without any posts or positions, it would be tough for him to continue his father’s legacy as Nik Abduh is the (most prominent politician) left in the family,” Sayuti told FMT.

Nik Abduh is the son of the late PAS spiritual adviser Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

“If Nik Abduh wants to rise in politics, he needs to change his political platform by leaving PAS and joining PKR or Umno. However, he has to work hard and garner his family’s support and confidence in doing so.”

On the other hand, Council of Professors fellow Jeniri Amir said Nik Abduh’s future would be affected if he were to quit PAS, describing the Islamic party as the best platform for him since his political base is in Kelantan.

“If he were to contest in an election on an Umno ticket, for example, he would have no chance of winning,” he said.

On Saturday, Nik Abduh’s uncle claimed the former MP was supposed to be a candidate in the Kelantan state election but was excluded by PAS vice-president Amar Nik Abdullah.

Amar denied the claim by Nik Aziz’s brother, Nik Din, saying Nik Abduh’s name was never in the list of potential candidates for the Chempaka state seat.

On July 11, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin had said Kelantan PAS had proposed Nik Abduh as a candidate for the state election.

Nik Abduh reportedly said he accepted his omission as a candidate for the state polls.

It was previously speculated that he might join Pakatan Harapan after he had a meeting with PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR president. Nik Abduh played down the meeting, saying it had nothing to do with politics.