There were flyers in a PAS operations room for the Pengkalan Pasir by-election that purportedly contained personal attacks against Umno Kelantan liaison chief Annuar Musa.

While PAS claimed that it was framed, Annuar criticised the party for resorting to such slanderous tactics. He also noted that this one had 'backfired'.

According to PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa, 39 copies of the flyers were allegedly 'stashed by unknown people' at the operations room in Kubang Bemban.

He said the party had lodged a police report to deny any involvement and called for thorough investigation.

"The flyers were believed to have been thrown into our markaz (operations room) in the morning and as our workers were putting them away in a plastic bag, the police came and conducted a search at our premises," he told a press conference in Mankasar.

"The flyers contained (articles) that character assassinates the leader (Annuar) and another individual. This is against election laws. And I stress here that we have nothing to do with the flyers," he said, adding that the flyers are now with the police.

Vice-president Husam Musa said the party has instructed its workers and volunteers to be alert on the distribution of such flyers, leaflets, posters or banners which could harm the party's image.

"We know they (PAS' opponent) have started this game. It's an attempt to discredit us or get us into trouble. I believe the game has gotten more intense since this morning," he added.

Plan backfired

Commenting on the matter, Annuar said the incident revealed a crack in PAS caused by the party's excessive campaigning that indulge in slander and character assassination.

"I have said this to them earlier these kind of campaigns spreading fitnah (slander) will only bring bad news. PAS has only to blame their excessive campaigning. This is a huge backfire.

"I know PAS leaders are trying to deny their involvement. I know they are trying to put the blame on others. Some even had to apologise as this case is now a police case," he added.

He told PAS that their denial would be of no use since he "knew of the plan five days ago".

"We know who made the plans. But we did not try to stop them because we prayed that they would proceed with the plan because we knew (it would backfire)."

Annuar also described the incident as a 'bonus' to Umno since it has caused a rift among PAS supporters who were unhappy with the incident.

"Community leaders here have turned their back on PAS and have openly protested. This is a bonus to us," he said.

He said a majority of the Pengkalan Pasir voters were urban and educated residents who will not be influenced by such dirty tactics.

"I think the voters especially the educated youths will not be bought by these cheap psyche war launched by PAS. When such tactics are done excessively, it would be counter productive,"

he added.

Both PAS and Annuar declined to reveal the contents of the flyers but party workers alleged that it relates to the Umno politician's alleged affair with a woman from Pasir Mas.

It is said that the incident could jeorpadise PAS' chances as the woman named is from an influential family in the constituency.

Over the past few weeks, PAS has trained its guns at Annuar , who is considered as a soft spot in Umno's arsenals.