Far from feeling remorse over the damnation prayer issue, Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat took another swipe at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak this morning albeit without mentioning his name.

Accompanied by deafening cheers from a huge crowd in Kota Bahru, the PAS spiritual leader proclaimed: "As long as they do not give (the oil royalty), we will pray until that person's stomach bursts."

NONE Nik Aziz was addressing thousands of his supporters who had gathered in the state capital in a show of support for the embattled menteri besar.

"The rejection in oil royalty payment to the Kelantan government could be described as a violation of a basic human rights," he said.

The supporters also wore headbands with the words 'We love Tok Guru'.

Senior state exco Husam Musa, PAS Youth leader Roslani Alani Abdul Kadir and several others also addressed the crowd.

Previously, Nik Aziz had drawn flak from Umno leaders when he threatened to perform a special prayer for the 'demise' of the premier over the oil royalty issue.

Liquor ban issue

The PAS spiritual leader said 19 years ago, the non-Muslim community had protested the state's move to control the selling of liquor.

"At that time, there were some who claimed of wanting to organise a liquor feast to protest the state government's actions.

"After explaining the whole situation, the non-Muslims began to support the state government's move," he said, suggesting that the people would also understand the need for the 'damnation prayer' call in relation to the oil royalty.

On Tuesday, hundreds of Umno supporters led by its Pasir Mas division leaders and using the name of Jemaah Rakyat Prihatin Kelantan or Group of Concerned Kelantanese, held a demonstration in front of the state's administrative centre the Darulnaim Complex, demanding that Nik Aziz apologise to Najib.

Nik Aziz explained his call for prayers in seeking divine intervention was in response to the federal government's action of not handing over oil royalty payments to Kelantan, which has been under PAS rule since 1990.

Najib, instead, announced the payment of 'wang ehsan' (compassionate money) channelled through federal agencies in Kelantan.

'They can never cheat voters'

Asked to comment on the criticisms levelled against him recently by Umno and federal government leaders, Nik Aziz said BN is worried and the aim is to divert public attention from the squabblings within their component parties.

"They can fool such troublemakers, however, they can never cheat Kelantan voters," he said.

NONE The hour-long gathering ended with shouts of takbir from his supporters.

Nik Aziz had been under attack on several issues following the fiasco in Kelantan Chief Minister Inc and the appointment and resignation of his son-in-law Mohd Ariffahmi Abdul Rahman as its chief executive officer.

There were also criticism over Nik Aziz's intention of going for the haj, with the financial backing of a contractor.

Kelantan Chief Minister Inc is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged graft. Its investigations are now nearing completion.

Muhyiddin lost for words

NONE Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin initially said he was at a loss for words when asked to comment on the matter.

However, he eventually lambasted Niz Aziz for his unbecoming behaviour as an Islamic leader.

"I don"t know what to say," said the deputy premier.

"Moreover, since it is coming from the (PAS) spiritual advisor, we are rather shocked. I don’t know what to say."

Muhyiddin said a true Muslim would not wish ill of another and urged other religious scholars within PAS to criticise Nik Aziz for doing so.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said the PAS spiritual leader's opinions were no longer acceptable although he was a knowledgeable and elderly person.

"We used we see him as the party's spiritual leader but now we see him as someone who only knows how to revile others.

"This (Nik Aziz's offensive statements) is not the work of a religious man, not the work of a spiritual adviser, this is vilification (of others)," he told reporters here today.