Kelantan Umno today took swipes but also praised PAS on subjects that ranged from the "unity talk" and the persona of PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz's image during the Manek Urai campaign.

But PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who was absent at yesterday's nomination, came under an unusual praise from arch rival Kelantan Umno chief Annuar Musa who described him as a visionary leader with sharp political sight.

bn banner manek urai by election campaign 070709 "Nasharuddin's goal is not to join Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN), but to seek another way out for PAS other than the coalition with Pakatan Rakyat because he knows that PAS has no influence within the coalition," Annuar said.

"Nasharuddin is a leader that prioritizes the interest of Muslims, Malays and the future of our country," he added.

In contrast, Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz was slammed for his inconsistency in political stance.

Annuar's comments was made during a one-hour ceramah that was held in Kampung Laloh which was attended by almost 150 Malay villagers.

Another speaker was was Kelantan Umno liaison chief Mustapa Mohamed.

Heaven, hell and the here and now

The Manek Urai by-election will see a two-horse race between Umno's Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat and PAS' Mohad Fauzi Abdullah for the long-held PAS-held state seat.

Annuar said that he has built a close relationship with several PAS leaders who had proposed the cooperation between Umno and PAS.

"I want to express my respect at Nasharuddin, Hadi Awang (PAS president), Nasrudin Hasan Tantawi (PAS Youth chief) and Salahuddin Ayub (former PAS Youth chief)," Annuar said.

He also described these leaders as the "seeds of awareness" within PAS, and will lead the party to a strong and solid growth in future.

pas and bn candidate fauzi abdullah tuan aziz manek urai election nomination day 060709 04 But despite his praise for PAS leaders such as Nasharuddin and Hadi Awang, Annuar criticized PAS for their rejection to form a "unity government" with Umno and depicting PAS as a short-sighted party engaging in "divide and rule" tactics.

"The political goal for Umno is not to divide the people, but PAS is a party advocating division.

Umno must stand up and defend unity to prevent the people from becoming the victims of separation," Annuar said.

"No matter how PAS has affronted Umno, no matter how PAS had rejected Umno, our party will continue fighting for the interests of everyone, and that includes PAS which opposed us. This is the biggest difference between Umno and PAS," he added.

In the talk, Annuar and Mustapa also criticised PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz by describing him as a "pragmatic politician" but who changed his stance according to circumstances to suit his political gains.

According to Annuar, Nik Aziz agreed to join Barisan Nasional and had praised the federal constitution in the past, but said later recanted saying that it was not in accordance with the Islamic laws after he quit BN.

"He called Umno kaffirs (heathens) for working with MCA and MIC, but now PAS has allied itself with DAP," Annuar pointed out.