Even as the dust continues to be stirred up by Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz the 'stomach burst' remark made yesterday, his political secretary has risen to his boss's defence by tagging it as just "an analogy".

Speaking to Malaysiakini yesterday, Anual Bakhri Haron also said that the embattled menteri besar did not pin-point any leader at that time, further refuting claims that it was aimed at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak or his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin.

" NONE When Nik Aziz says something like that, it is just an analogy that cannot be translated directly," he said, adding that it does not mean that he prayed for that event to take place either.

"However, he prayed to God to punish the people who are cruel to others. So in this context, it is a cruelty for someone who refuses oil royalty to the Kelantan government," Anual explained.

He also clarified that what the PAS spiritual leader meant was "God could punish a person through various means.

"It is up to God to determine the type of punishment... but for those who have been oppressed, they have the rights to offer such a prayer," he said.

Nik Aziz, was reported yesterday to have described the rejection of oil royalty payments to the Kelantan government as "a violation of a basic human rights".

The PAS spiritual leader also threatened to "pray until his stomach bursts" if their request the oil royalty payments is ignored by the federal government.

Muhyiddin struck speechless

Soon after Nik Aziz's remark made headlines and grabbed ears yesterday, Muhyiddin was at a loss for words when asked to comment on the matter.

The deputy prime minister nevertheles lambasted Niz Aziz for his 'unbecoming behaviour' as an Islamic leader.

"Moreover, since it is coming from the (PAS) spiritual advisor, we are rather shocked. I don't know what to say," said Muhyiddin, adding that a true Muslim would not wish ill of another and urged other religious scholars within PAS to criticise Nik Aziz for doing so.

The open rift between Kelantan and the federal governments was highlighted when Nik Aziz sought divine intervention in response to the former withholding oil royalty payments from Kelantan, which has been under PAS rule since 1990.

Najib had recently announced the payment of 'wang ehsan' (compassionate money) which is channelled through federal-controlled agencies in Kelantan, instead of the PAS state government.