Thursday October 19, 2006

Nik Aziz’s son freed with 10 others

By IAN MCINTYRE and C.A. ZULKIFLE

newsdesk@thestar.com.my

KOTA BARU: “Saya sudah kembali (I’m back),” – those were Nik Adli Nik Abdul Aziz’s first words to his father, as they hugged each other in the glare of camera flashlights.

HAPPY REUNION: Nik Abdul Aziz (left) welcoming Nik Adli home in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baru.

Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is PAS spiritual adviser, replied: “Syukur kepada Allah (Thanks Be to Allah)” at their first meeting since the son was released from detention under the Internal Security Act.

The 39-year-old had been detained for alleged terrorist activities since 2001.

The father and son kept their emotions in check before entering their family home in Pulau Melaka, some 10km from the state capital, away from the attention of a small crowd that had gathered since 2pm.

Nik Abdul Aziz declined to say much to a flurry of questions by journalists, muttering that his heart had been bleeding, and asking where everyone was when his son was detained.

Nik Adli is the third of his 10 children.

He was a teacher at SM Arab Darul Anwar, which was founded by his family, before he was detained.

Later, Nik Adli told reporters that he was only informed that he was going to be released after arriving at Bukit Aman yesterday from his cellblock in Kamunting, Perak.

“Now, I just want to spend time with my family.” He also wished to continue teaching at the same school.

He declined comment when asked if he regretted his actions of allegedly being involved in an organisation linked to terrorism.

He was earlier taken to the Kota Baru district police headquarters to register himself as a freed ISA detainee but under certain conditions.

Nik Adli was told that he could not leave his home between 11pm and 6am daily, and he was restricted to Kota Baru district.

He must also report to the district police headquarters every Monday as part of the conditions for his release.

His Cambodian-born wife Sles Monica Siles Math, 35, said that initially, she did not want to raise her hopes.

“I told myself that I will only speak openly once I get to see him in person. Thanks be to Allah,” she said.

Nik Adli was freed together with 10 others, comprising four Kumpulan Militant Malaysia members and six Jemaah Islamiah (JI) members at noon yesterday.

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