KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 -- Umno's Datuk Mohamad Nizar Najib has warned against political rhetoric that lacks substance, stressing that governance should be based on concrete policies, not just religious posturing.

"Sometimes perception outweighs performance. We've increased state revenue and channelled it into programmes such as Bantuan Prihatin Pahang, benefiting fishermen, farmers, the B40 group and students," the son of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said in a podcast hosted by Sinar Daily, the English-language sister news site of Sinar Harian, aired today.

Taking direct aim at political rivals, especially Islamist PAS, Nizar criticised those who campaign on religious credentials but fail to present workable plans.

"Some p...