Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's statement yesterday that he was ready to contest in the coming elections and would continue serving the people until he dies came under heavy criticism from a top Umno leader today.

Umno vice-president Najib Tun Razak said the statement showed that Nik Aziz was "greedy for power" for wanting to contest as long as he lives.

"As a matter of fact, he said that what the Kelantan Menteri Besar said was exactly what PAS leaders had been accusing Umno leaders of doing", Bernama quoted Najib as saying today.

"Clearly by saying that he would contest as long as he lives, Nik Aziz cares more for his power and position than anyone else in PAS," Najib said.