Kelantan People's Action Council (MTRK) patron Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today alleged that PAS has exploited religion to eliminate the culture and arts of the people of Kelantan.

Since PAS took over Kelantan, it had taken various actions to erode the state's identity using religion as an excuse although the moves were politically motivated, he said.

"If the efforts to eliminate the traits which have enriched Kelantan's cultural heritage, then Kelantan's uniqueness will be gone," he told reporters after opening a MTRK course in Kota Bahru.

Bernama quoted Tengku Razaleigh as saying that since PAS took over the government in Kelantan in 1990, PAS had introduced several regulations that had curbed cultural activities and traditional entertainment such as the ban on "wayang kulit" (shadow play) and "Makyong" performances as well as any stage performances involving women artistes.

Political motive

Tengku Razaleigh, who is also Gua Musang Umno division head said the suggestion by Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that the people of Kelantan wore robes and skull caps was a move with political motive.

"The robe has nothing to do with religion, it is an Arab dress which suits the situation in Arab states, so we can't relate it to religion and so on," he said.

He said the reason given by Nik Aziz that wearing the robe would avoid immoral acts was also not true because there were many prison inmates who previously wore robes and skull caps.

On Thursday, Nik Aziz said that the robe and skull caps symbolised Islamic dress since ancient times and for the Malay community, they signified piousness.

Tengku Razaleigh acknowledged that the people of Kelantan were now divided into two, namely Umno supporters and PAS supporters.

He said that MTRK, a non-governmental organisation, would do its utmost to unite the people in the state.