Minister in the prime minister's department Mustapa Mohamed has asked Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (photo) to withdraw his remarks, condemning Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen as receivers of 'forbidden pay and allowances'.

He said that as a Tok Guru (a learned person) he (Nik Aziz) should not have made such remarks, which no religious scholar would make.

According to Bernama, Mustapa (photo) said Nik Aziz had condemned BN representatives when if fact, they were duly elected by the people. The minister was speaking to reporters after opening a People's Service Centre (PKR) in the Tanah Merah parliamentary constituency, here on Monday.

Last Friday, the PAS spiritual adviser said the salary and allowances enjoyed by all 21 BN state assemblymen in Kelantan were haram (forbidden in Islam) because they 'had cheated' in the recent general election.

As such, they should all resign and only then would the PAS state government consider a move to dissolve the state legislative assembly, he said.

Another condition imposed by Nik Aziz was for the Election Commission (EC) to prepare a new electoral roll, which he said must be free from phantom voters.

Mustapa, however, said it was the voters who had determined the victory of the BN candidates.

"I'm saddened by Nik Aziz's remarks and hope that he will withdraw them," he said.