In his 19 years as Kelantan menteri besar, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has barely had a hint of public criticism over his management of the state - at least, not from within.
But there was no muting the protest when, in August, he appointed his son-in-law Abdul Ariffahmi Ab Razak as chief executive officer of Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated.
The decision proved costly for Nik Aziz, a revered Islamic scholar and PAS spiritual leader, as allegations of nepotism were rained on him from rivals Umno as well as leaders of his own party.
