Ibrahim, who was appointed the Pasir Mas Putra chief today, said PAS leaders did not have the creativity and innovation to develop Kelantan, and accused them of enriching themselves.

“Even if (Kelantan) was to receive oil royalties (from the federal government), it’s not certain that it would be used in the best way possible to benefit the people,” he said at the division’s general meeting this morning.

The former Umno man also scoffed at Zahid’s claim that the party could solve Kelantan’s water issues if it were to form the state government in the upcoming elections.

He said Zahid, a deputy prime minister, should instead pledge to fulfil the state’s demand for oil royalties to be paid by Putrajaya.

He claimed that many pledges made by Umno and Barisan Nasional had been broken, saying the people were smarter and no longer easily won over by empty promises.

“Can the deputy prime minister, Zahid, advise Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to pay the oil royalties in accordance with the past agreement?” the former Pasir Mas MP said.

Putra is a member of Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA), the loose coalition led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad that comprises Malay-based parties, NGOs, academics and professionals.

Mahathir joined Putra as its adviser earlier this month after quitting Pejuang. The former prime minister said Putra would meet to discuss the upcoming elections in six states soon.