Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said he will not ask Nik Aziz Nik Mat to apologise over the Kelantan Menteri Besar's intention to pray for his and Umno's future to be destroyed if the federal government refused to pay oil royalty to Kelantan.

NONE The prime minister said Nik Aziz should be aware that many Muslims viewed his (Nik Aziz's) statement on the matter as extreme and not reflecting the spirit of Islam.

"I cannot understand the need for such prayer because we have actually provided a compassionate fund for the people of Kelantan.

"By whatever name it is called, royalty or compassionate fund, the amount is still the same. And it is the people of Kelantan who are getting it, we will not be using it for other purposes," said Najib.

According to Najib, even before the compassionate fund was announced, the federal government had allocated over RM7 billion under the Ninth Malaysia Plan for the people of Kelantan although the state was not governed by the Barisan Nasional.

"So, how come they are accusing us of not being fair and the like," said Najib, who is in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago to attend the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which ended on Sunday.

Hoping for a settlement in MCA

According to the prime minister, all issues could be discussed towards finding solutions, and not be used to cause squabbles.

"Quarrelling among ourselves is something that is not acceptable in Islam, it's the same when we condemn others without any basis," said Najib.

Najib previously had said the federal government would provide a compassionate fund for Kelantan beginning next year for oil extracted off the state's shores.

On MCA's internal crisis, Najib said he hoped it would be solved as soon as possible.

"I hope the matter can be resolved. I've left it to my deputy Muhyiddin Yassin (to settle the problem)," he said.

"Otherwise, I may have to talk to the (warring) parties," Najib added.

- Bernama