Many were appalled when Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat reportedly said he would pray for the prime minister's stomach to "burst" if the latter refuses to channel oil royalty payments to the state.

That outrageous remark eclipsed even the more bizarre bits of advice he had trickled out occasionally - that a vote for is Islamic party PAS is a ticket to heaven; that women who wear lipstick are inviting rape; or that attractive women should marry and stay at home in order not to occupy jobs.