When Sinar Harian publisher Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub suggested a unity government of PAS and UMNO in the east coast state of Kelantan, he set off a storm that hasn’t abated. Criticisms ranged from bad intentions (“niat buruk”) to being naive. He says his intentions have been misconstrued and politicized. Today we explore the politics of the state from Hudud to post-flood reconstruction.