PKR 'de facto leader' Anwar Ibrahim alleged that there are plans to bring 40,000 'phantom' voters into Kelantan to weaken the chances of PAS retaining the state at the upcoming general election.

Speaking to some 10,000 people at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, Kota Bharu last night, Anwar said the information came from a source within Umno, the largest component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional federal government.

He alleged that a sizeable portion of the 'phantom' voters would be coming from southern Thailand.

"I urge you to tell your friends in southern Thailand: If you have a chance to come here and vote, vote for your rights and justice," said Anwar.

Kelantan, a rural Malay heartland, has seen pitch battles between arch rivals PAS and Umno. PAS has controlled Kelantan - Malaysia's only opposition controlled state - since 1990.

PAS' position in Kelantan was not seriously challenged until 2004 when they barely hung on to a simple majority at the 45 seat state legislative assembly.

Both PAS and Umno have previously traded allegations of shipping in voters from outside the state to bolster support for their respective parties.

BN blamed for religious tensions

Former Umno deputy president Anwar, quoting his former party's sources, also claimed that Umno was worried of losing some 70 'critical' ( cemas ) seats.

"When they know they are in trouble, they will cheat in these 70 seat. Therefore, we need to work hard (to ensure a win)," said Anwar.

Anwar also criticised Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for letting religious tensions rise during his administration.

"Muslims are worried about syariah courts losing their authority. The non-Muslims are worried about being compelled (with religion)," he said.

He said the present situation stemmed from uncertainty over the jurisdiction between the civil courts and the syariah courts, which the present government had failed to address.

Anwar was among four speakers at a ceramah held at the sidelines of the ongoing PAS 53rd Muktamar (convention) in Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan.