PAS is gradually picking on the people's sentiments especially that of the Malays in its attempts to garner political mileage, said Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

He said the Malays were easily swayed by the "emotional warfare" launched by PAS as they were susceptible to sensitive issues played out by the opposition, without realising that such political gimmicks would be disastrous to them.

"I observe that the emotional game played by PAS has gone too far lately like (Kelantan Menteri Besar) Nik Abdul Aziz (Nik Mat) admitting that he had wrongfully claimed that the Prime Minister do not know how to read the Quran".

Mohd Khir told reporters this after meeting Kelantan Umno leaders here last night.

Malays left behind

According to national news agency Bernama, the Selangor Menteri Besar said the issues frequently played by PAS was that on Islam and poverty like telling the audience at their ceramah that Prophet Muhamad was only a herdsman before he became Prophet.

"But they never mentioned that the Prophet needed people who had strong economy (in his efforts) to propagate Islam," he said.

Mohd Khir said PAS' actions made the Malays to be left behind as they had the impression that their poverty was fated and hence no self-improvement was needed. He said it was wrong for PAS to relate Islam with poverty as Islam was the religion which brought success, progress and strength to its believers.

"Hence we are calling for the Malays not to be hoodwinked by the opposition and instead to focus on politics which struggle for the religion, race and country," he said.