Being obsessed with the leadership that exceeds the teachings of Islam can lead to splits among the Muslims and weaken the ummah, said former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

NONE Citing the situation in Kelantan as an example, Mahathir said he was informed that there was no possibility of the BN winning in the state in the upcoming general election because the people of Kelantan were too obsessed with the Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.  

In his latest entry titled 'Asabiah' in his blog, he said that such was the obsession that whatever was claimed by Nik Aziz on the Islamic religion, the people of Kelantan would accept it as the truth and in line with the teachings of Islam.

"Clear-thinking Muslims would certainly reject the claim by Nik Aziz that voting PAS would be rewarded (in Islam) and would in fact guarantee that the voter would go to heaven.

“But it appears that the majority of the people in Kelantan, whether they accept this claim or otherwise, continue to be loyal to and support Nik Aziz's leadership.

"The PAS victory in Kelantan and other places showed that Nik Aziz's leadership was not affected although it was clear that it had abused religion for worldly politics," Mahathir said in his article.

- Bernama