(AFP) Southeast Asia's largest sitting Buddha was formally inaugurated today in Islamic opposition-ruled state of Kelantan amid a debate over Islamic extremism.

Orange-robed monks chanted prayers and lit two giant candles to inaugurate the 30-metre-high, 47-metre-wide statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in a meditation pose atop Wat Machimmaram temple in sleepy Tumpat town in the eastern state.

The ceremony kicked off a week-long festival that will culminate on Sept 16, when the brown Buddha with pure gold lips will have his giant, tear-drop-shaped "heart" installed.

Hundreds of ethnic Chinese, who make up less than five percent of Kelantan's 1.4 million people, burned joss sticks and stuck thin gold foils on the Buddha's heart, which is being displayed on a makeshift stage.

They also inserted a pair of needles made of pure silver and gold into the hollow of the heart, symbolising a release of their attachment to worldly wealth and rejecting greed and hatred.

Chinese folklore

Some 100,000 worshippers from as far as Thailand, Singapore and Sri Lanka, plus 500 Thai monks, are expected to turn up for the grand installation ceremony by Thai deputy chief monk Somdel Praphut Thachan, said temple officials.

The 10-storey-high Buddha, which took 10 years to build and cost RM4 million, is surrounded by Chinese folklore statues, dragon-adorned pillars and meticulous carvings.

The statue is the second giant Buddha image in this Muslim-dominated state, controlled by the key opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), with a huge reclining Buddha statue - said to be the second biggest in Asia - opened in the 1980s.

PAS, which aims to set up an Islamic state, has ruled Kelantan since 1990 but came into the spotlight in the 1999 general elections when it gained neighbouring Terengganu state and increased its parliamentary seats.

PAS' opposition allies for the past two years, the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP), recently threatened recently to break off the alliance in protest at PAS' Islamic goals.

PAS also came under pressure following the recent arrest of some of its members, including the son of the party's spiritual leader, on suspicion of being part of a Islamic militia group.

PAS widely misunderstood

Hu Pang Chaw, state government officer in charge of Chinese affairs, said PAS was tolerant towards other religions but has been widely misunderstood.

"All races live peacefully and speak Malay fluently here. There are many misconceptions about PAS but critics should come and see the truth themselves," said Hu.

"The PAS government does not impose Islam on the people. Their Islamic concept is about justice, cleanliness, no corruption and true freedom."

Hu said there were more than 20 Chinese temples and 14 Chinese primary schools in the state, and the state government last year allocated prime land in the capital of Kota Bahru to build a Sikh temple.

A four-day Chinese cultural parade, organised by the state government for a second consecutive year and involving 37 Chinese groups, will begin at the end of the month. Similar shows for other ethnic groups will be held soon, he said.

"Compared to corruption and cronyism, Islamic state is a small matter to us," he added.

Lost support

But the DAP, which lost support among the Chinese in 1999 polls over its pact with PAS, has warned that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's Barisan Nasional would capitalise on the Islamic state issue in the next general election if PAS did not clear the air.

PAS leaders recently upset the DAP by reiterating that their top priority is to set up an Islamic state if they replace Mahathir's government. The next polls must be held by 2004.

Chew Ah Tin, 45, who runs a grocery shop in Tumpat town, said he was not worried by PAS's talk of an Islamic state. "They are not bad people. It's easy life here, they do not disturb us but development is slow and nothing much has changed here."

But Eh Deng Eh Chik, a 53-year-old Malaysian Siam Buddhist working at the state education department, was more wary.

"It's okay now because they only control two states but if they come into power in the country, things may change and this could affect our religious activities," said Eh, who carries out voluntary work at the Tumpat Buddha temple.