No cause for worry : Ustaz Azizan

The new Kedah MB is still very much the Ustaz Azizan residents have known since he became their assemblyman in 1995.

CAFE LATTE CHAT

KEDAH Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, 64, has astounded critics with his zest for the job. He begins his day early as usual, meeting kampung folk in his modest office-cum-residence (he has been paying RM1,000 monthly rental to PAS for over 10 years despite the going rate being only RM300) located along the trunk road in his rural Sungai Limau constituency.

Here, he is still very much the Ustaz Azizan residents have known since he became their assemblyman in 1995.

Born and bred in the area, Azizan used to brave stormy waters as a fisherman during his younger years there.

Now Mentri Besar and Yang Amat Berhormat, there is no change in his demeanour as he sits on the worn sofa wearing a sarung, baju Melayu and kopiah (skullcap).

“Nyonya, ada apa. Boleh saya tolong?” he asks a middle-aged Chinese businesswoman who approaches him with a RM40,000 unpaid bill for furniture supplied to the Kedah Football Association.

A youth comes seeking his help to settle a traffic fine. And then a makcikpleads for her daughter to be accepted into university.

Azizan’s younger wife (he has 14 children from two marriages) Shamsiah Shafie ensures there is enough kopi-0 and kuih on the table.

Later, Azizan looks equally comfortable in his dark pin-striped suit and bright tie as he leaves for his office at Wisma Darulaman.

The al-Azhar University graduate, who spent four years studying in England, is the man of the moment in Kedah, which has never seen Opposition rule.

“What are people saying about me?” was the first thing he asked this reporter at the start of the interview last week.

> Nobody, least of all the Barisan Nasional, expected Kedah to fall to the Opposition. How did it happen?

Others may have been surprised, but our intelligence was near spot on. We had PAS winning 18 of the 36 state seats, unsure of only two seats. Our worry was that with 18 seats split between PAS and the Barisan Nasional, there would be a hung State Assembly.

As it turned out, PAS took 16 state seats. We lost the Belantek and Kota Siputeh seats. We didn’t know much about the PKR and DAP candidates and did not weigh their chances. But PKR won four, DAP one and an Independent another. You can’t say PAS did not expect victory. In our operations room, we were quietly confident.

> Tell us what it is like being the Kedah Mentri Besar from the PAS perspective.

Well, as you know, I lead an Opposition alliance made up of PAS, PKR and DAP. I am now not just the leader of PAS in Kedah.

The first thing I have set out to do is to win the people’s confidence. They have voted us in, now we have to make them comfortable with us. That is why I always ask what the people are saying about my government and me. I want to know what their concerns are with me in the driver’s seat.

I was a student leader back in university. I was involved in politik kampung (grassroots politics), politik party (party politics) ? now it’spolitik kerajaan (politics of government). I have to know all subject matters ? it is a different ball game. Before, I was on the offensive; now, it is defensive.

Ever since I took power, many have complained to me about this and that person. I just listen. My philosophy is this – it is better to forgive than to punish. If I want, I (can) take revenge ? many have done bad things to me too.

When it comes to the people’s support, it is simple. Today they support us, tomorrow they may oppose.

> You were sworn in as MB the day after the general election, and Kedah was also the first to form a new state government. It looked easy and smooth, but was it really?

There was no official hand-over from the previous Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid). I got no briefing. But he (Mahdzir) attended my swearing-in and congratulated me.

As you can see in my office, the shelves are completely empty and the files all gone. We have reported this matter to the State Secretary.

> But there was criticism when you chose to leave the DAP out of your exco line-up.

We had no prior arrangement with the DAP in Kedah. Otherwise, I don’t have a problem giving them an exco seat. Our partner was PKR. We agreed to give two seats to non-Malay representatives. The DAP won one seat in Kedah, the same as PAS in Penang. PAS also did not get an exco position in Penang. But if both party leaderships’ had agreed on a mutual arrangement, I would not have had a problem accommodating the DAP rep.

> There has been much written in the local media on the five state governments won by the Opposition. You accept this as media democracy at work?

I must say that the media has been fair to us, as far as Kedah is concerned, and I thank you all for that. I have received adequate and fair coverage so far. Many journalists have been asking to see me, and I welcome them. Whoever wants to see me, please get in touch with my office. I was managing director of Harakah (PAS’ fortnightly publication) before, and I appreciate your role.

What the media writes has a big impact, especially as foreign investors are observing us. I have been meeting investors and telling them about our open-door policy. I tell them their investments are welcome and we will ensure the success of their ventures. Yesterday, I met a major Korean investor who came all the way from Seoul and insisted on seeing me.

> The Kedah Civil Service is an age-old, unique state administrative structure known to toe the line. How are you handling them, given the unprecedented political environment here?

I believe the officers are professional in discharging their responsibilities. I have told them that they do not need to fear me.

I invited them to dinner at my official residence and told them that they should carry on with their jobs without fear or favour. I told them to do their jobs and I’ll do mine. They got the message. I believe they will all cooperate.

> Some quarters are worried that an Islamic-type administration will eventually take centrestage here. They say the current political climate will not make for better living, with entertainment curtailed and liquor not to be served freely.

Have you heard us going around hotels and entertainment centres and shutting them down? That is not the way we are going to rule Kedah. The Chinese and the Indians have no reason to fear us or, for that matter, the Malays. We will allow what is allowed by the respective religions. We are not going to go overboard. A fair number of Chinese and Indians supported us and we are not going to curtail them.

> How are your relations with His Majesty the Sultan?

I have known His Majesty for a long time and get along fine with him. He is apolitical. I attend events with him and I understand him. In fact, I have been asked to accompany him for golf these days, so I have had to dust my old Wilson golf set I purchased in London in 1984 (laughs). I also accompanied Sultan Abdul Halim to the stadium to watch the Kedah vs Perak football match recently. We distributed free tickets to football fans to come and enjoy the game with us.

> What comparison can be drawn between your administration and that of the Kelantan Government? Will religion dominate here as well?

Tok Guru (Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Kelantan Mentri Besar) has his own style, and I am different. I can’t talk like him. I have said that I will do what’s best for Kedah. He has done what’s best for Kelantan. Even in Kelantan, the Chinese and Indians have little to complain about, so why should there be any problems with them here in Kedah? If people want to drink liquor and their religion allows it, we are not going to stop them.

You have to appreciate that this is a first-term state government. I am starting from zero. My state executive councillors are also new in their roles. Give us some time.

> You would be considered part of the old guard within the PAS set-up. How do you keep yourself in sync with new political realities?

I am one of the old guard, but my spirits run high (smiles). I joined the party in 1978 and fell in love so much with it that I gave up an opportunity to go to London for my PhD. I lived in England for four years, studying for my Masters in Philosophy in Law at the University of Kent. I have also lived and lectured in the Philippines, and headed the Syariah Department at UKM.

Besides my kampung house here, I also have a house in Kuala Lumpur and I travel. I know what is happening. I have been an academic and politician for many years.

> How much has your living in England influenced your thinking?

When I was there, the focus of my study was on South East Asian Law, with reference to the Malaysian old legal system and the administration of Muslim Law in Malaysia. There was not much Western influence on me. But it did open up my mind to many things.

> What is your policy with regard to tourism development in Langkawi?

That is a tourist island and we have to recognise its special needs. There will not be unnecessary restrictions. Many Westerners go there to escape the winter, and Middle Eastern tourists are also flocking there. We are going to keep an open mind on tourism. I have discussed with my state exco member in charge of tourism and told him to travel to countries like Spain to pick up new ideas.

> Finally, in the PAS election manifesto, you pledged to reduce the perks and special privileges of the Mentri Besar. Are you matching words with deeds?

Whatever facility there is for me to use, I will use but it will be for the people’s benefit. I will use the Mercedes Benz, and I will use the four-wheel-drive to go around and meet the people. I do not need to live in the posh official residence in Mentaloon, but for official events I will go there. It does not make any difference to me if I stay in a big hotel or live in a hut.

The difference is this – that the facilities available to the MB will be used for the people’s benefit. We will cut down on extravagance. I have been moving around in my old Mercedes 280 and Pajero and my wife has a Sephia Kia.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/10/focus/20902424&sec=focus