Gays are a national problem, says Kelantan, kicking the ball back into Putrajaya's court after it was accused of failing to use Islam to stamp out the homosexual lifestyle.

"Homosexual activities are a national problem, not PAS’ alone," Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah told FMT.

He was reportedly responding to Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, who had blamed the failure of PAS to promote Islam as the way of life as the reason for rising homosexuality in the east coast state.

Nik Mohd Amar argued that homosexuality is an issue that transcends the state and requires the federal government to shoulder the responsibility.

“Why blame the Kelantan government? What is the federal government doing?

“Drug problems, homosexuality… these are national issues that are not only happening in Kelantan. Everyone has their own responsibility.

“If Kelantan alone acts on this and the federal government doesn’t control the rakyat, they will still be exposed to these activities,” he told the portal further.

The deputy menteri besar also reportedly told off Mohd Jazlan for politicising the issue.

“If we want to blame one another, then the problem won’t be solved. I advise them to be gentlemanly instead of politicising everything," he said, adding that as it is, the state is working hard to dam the rising homosexual tide.

Mohd Jazlan, who is also Kelantan Umno liaison deputy chairperson, trained his guns on PAS for allegedly not being able to tackle the increase in such “un-Islamic” activities despite their loudly proclaimed stance as Islam's champion.

This follows Deputy Home Minister II Masir Kujat's statement on Tuesday citing Kelantan’s health department reports on an increase in the number of HIV cases in the state due to promiscuity and an unhealthy lifestyle.

He quoted the reports stating that HIV infections in Kelantan from homosexual activities increased 100 percent, with 20 cases recorded last year, up from 10 the year before.