The question of race need not be disputed for a person to become a prime minister provided he is a Muslim, said PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Nik Aziz said the leader must be from among Muslims because he would be heading the government and leading Muslims in the country.    

"Okay to be non-Malay, so long as he is a Muslim. How to lead Muslims if he is not a Muslim? Will a democratic nation give the post to a communist?  

"And in the same vein, will a communist country accommodate a democratic leader? No such thing! A communist country will be helmed by a communist, a democratic country will be led by a democratic leader," he said.

"So, a Muslim nation must be led by a Muslim, regardless of race."

He said this to reporters after opening a Kelantan Pas Ulama Congress at the Labok Dewan Ulama headquarters, in Machang today.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh, prior to this, was reported to have said that he would continue his fight to ensure a non-Malay could became a prime minister of the country on the basis that there was no law against it.  

No need for Islamic features

Meanwhile, Nik Aziz said that there was no need for buildings in Kelantan to have Islamic features as long as they are not against Islamic principles.

The Kelantan MB said, for example, he had approved the construction of a mosque in Rantau Panjang which adopted Chinese architecture.

"If the Chinese community wanted to have Chinese designs, it does not matter, but it should not be against Islam. For example, it cannot incorporates a temple.

"But if you just want to paint the roof red or have a curve roof, it does not matter. Just do not construct statues in your buildings," he added.

He was commenting on a controversy involving the Kelantan Buddhist Association which was required to adhere to municipal by-laws requiring new buildings within its jurisdiction to have Islamic features or designs.

PAS Supporters Club national chairman Hu Phang Chaw was quoted as saying that the Kelantan government should not force developers to adopt Islamic features on their buildings.

- Bernama