Tuan Ibrahim: PAS ready to face anyone in Galas, even Ku Li

PAS vice president Tuan Ibrahim

TEMERLOH (Harakahdaily) - Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah being the Barisan Nasional election director for the impending Galas by-election is not an issue to PAS as the Islamic party will have to ultimately rely on its own strength to defend the state constituency, according to PAS vice president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

“Whether or not Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is appointed as the BN election director for Galas by-election is immaterial. PAS must be ready to face anyone in the by-election on its own strength,” he said in a statement to Harakahdaily today.

Razaleigh, the veteran and influential UMNO member of parliament in Gua Musang, where the Galas constituency sits, has been recently appointed as BN's director for the upcoming by-election there, following the death of its PAS incumbent Che Hashim Sulaiman on Monday.

The late Che Hashim wrested the seat from BN in 2008 by a 646-vote majority, securing 4,399 votes against BN's 3,753 votes.

Analysts have however said that Razaleigh's appointment was a departure from the norm practised by BN in any by-election, which usually sees the deputy prime minister leading the campaign.

Several observers have also warned that Razaleigh's influence in the constituency could turn the tide against PAS this time, prompting some PAS leaders to assuage fears among supporters by saying that Razaleigh would not be active in the BN machinery due to his differences with BN leaders at the centre.

Tuan Ibrahim, who is also the Pahang PAS state commissioner, however said Razaleigh was no longer a loyal member of UMNO as far as issues pertaining to the Kelantan oil royalty dispute with the federal government were concerned.

“Added to this are the issue of corruption, the economic plan and his confidence towards Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration of the country,” he added.

At the same time, Tuan Ibrahim reminded that Razaleigh had vowed to stay in UMNO, adding that PAS must mobilise its own strength combined with Pakatan Rakyat in facing the by-election.

He said that although Razaleigh's influence could not be doubted, he "is not unbeatable in his home area".

“In the 12th General Election, PAS managed to wrest the Galas state constituency from BN...this shows his influence is weaker and the voters have matured in their choice,” he said.

Manek Urai weaknesses

On PAS’s preparation, Tuan Ibrahim said the party would need a new approach in organising its machinery, and further reminded that its win in 2008 was by a simple majority of 636 votes.

“The fence sitters will be the decision maker in this by-election,” said Tuan Ibrahim, and added that Orang Asli and Chinese votes in the area would be crucial to both parties.

Pointing out to what he called the weaknesses faced by PAS in the Manek Urai by-election last year, in which PAS won with a razor thin majority of 65 votes, Tuan Ibrahim said the choice of candidate was also crucial.

“The candidate factor exceeded the party factor in Manek Urai and the failure of outsiders (leaders) to shape the mood and sentiments of the voters will be one of the main focuses for parties contesting in this election.

“Therefore, they will not like a candidate that will only show his face because he needs votes, but disappears after he wins,” he said.

Another factor was the development of Gua Musang under the state administration, which had seen a major progress.

"Regardless, PAS and its whole party machinery must be ready to help defend Galas."