Enter Kamarul Ramizu Idris, the independent candidate for Bukit Gantang who said he has not registered as a voter and was using his candidacy as a platform to promote his yet-to-be-registered Parti Iman SeMalaysia (PIS).

"I am not here to win or lose. I am bringing a concept of belief in God so that leaders and people will immerse themselves in their belief in God," said Kamarul, who only launched his campaign operations centre on Tuesday, when the campaigning of the two other candidates was already in full swing.

Clad in black batik shirt and velvet brown songkok with aviator sunglasses to protect his sore eyes, Kamarul said his party would be multiracial and would not differentiate between the races and religions.

He said he had chosen Bukit Gantang to launch his party as it was where PAS was founded over 50 years ago.

"PAS only accepts Muslims as members, but PIS is for all Malaysians.

"We have all the amenities and good development but the people lack spirituality," said Kamarul, whose 200-odd campaign workers were volunteers from Seni Silat Gayung Pusaka Malaysia.

He planned to use the campaign period to explain his faith-based leadership manifesto.

Kamarul was targeting 20,000 votes, but he admitted that both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) did not view him as a threat. With a budget of only RM70,000 to RM80,000, he could only meet the voters at night markets and mosques and make house-to-house visits.

"I don't have the budget for ceramah," said Kamarul, who arrived at his Changkat Jering yet-to-be-opened centre in a convoy of six black cars.

On his voting status, Kamarul said he never registered as a voter as he had yet to meet a true leader.

"They talk sweet and look sweet, but the heart is not sweet," he added.

On his admiration for Ibrahim Ali, Kamarul said he liked his (Ibrahim) straight-talking style.

"He does not care whether it's PAS or BN. He speaks his mind," he said. He also defended Ibrahim's tendency to switch parties due to prevailing circumstances.

"If I win, I hope to be able to partner him in parliament," said Kamarul, before excusing himself as it was time for the Maghrib prayer.