PAS must be defeated in the 13th general election for the sake of the future of Islam and Malays in this country, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said this was because PAS was like a frog as it liked to "hop over" and had no fixed stand.

Dr Mahathir said the PAS leadership often changed their stand because they fell for instigation from outside the party, particularly from DAP and PKR leaders.

Speaking at a gathering with the Baling community in Kuala Ketil yesterday, Dr Mahathir said he was sad that PAS had become the source of disunity among the Malay Muslims in this country.

He said voters throughout the country, especially the Muslims, must reject PAS in the GE13 tomorrow in order to protect the honour of Islam and its future in this country.

"This is because PAS has been dividing Muslims as the party has placed capturing power together with its allies in the opposition pact above everything else," he added.

Also present were Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Baling parliamentary seat Abd Azeez Rahim and its candidates for the constituency's three state seats, Azmi Che Husin (Bayu), Khairul Azhar Abdullah (Kuala Ketil) and Harun Abdul Aziz (Kupang).

More than 15,000 people attended the gathering to hear Dr Mahathir's message in the close run-up to the GE13.

Mukhriz to be menteri besar

Dr Mahathir said caretaker Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat did not endeavour to propagate true Islamic teachings but was busy branding Muslims who did not support PAS as infidels or ridiculing them with his controversial statements.

"Islam actually enjoins its followers to spread its true teachings and not act like the PAS leaders, especially Nik Aziz.

"PAS is actually not an Islamist party as many of its actions were against true Islamic teachings," he said.

NONE Meanwhile,  caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Mukhriz Mahathir will be appointed menteri besar of Kedah if the BN is given the mandate to form the state government in today's general election.

Najib, who is also BN chairperson, said Mukhriz, the BN's candidate for the Ayer Hitam state seat, had the capability to administer Kedah in line with the government's aspiration to make a success of national transformation plans.

"I am confident he will provide dynamic leadership to take Kedah to new heights," he said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur last night.

Mukhriz, who is also caretaker deputy international trade and industry minister and Kedah BN deputy chairperson, is facing the incumbent Abdul Ghani Ahmad of PAS.

- Bernama