Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah has admitted that Kelantan is lagging behind other states in development, but said it is deliberate.

This so that its people do not get "left behind," according to him.

"We admit that our (the state's) physical development is slow. But it is on purpose to ensure the rakyat can enjoy the development.

"If we develop rapidly, adopt a more free approach, we can compete with states like Selangor, but the danger is, people might get left behind...