Nenggiri polls: Gua Musang PAS says won't boycott Bersatu candidate

 

Gua Musang PAS has committed to supporting the Bersatu candidate in the upcoming Nenggiri by-election despite its disappointment in not being able to field its candidate.

Azman Ahmad, the local PAS chief, told local news portal Scoop that he acknowledged the need to respect the party leadership’s decision.

He stressed that PAS will actively campaign in key Malay-majority areas, including Sungai Asap and Limau Kasturi.

“We’re slightly disappointed, but we understand the need to give way as Bersatu previously held this seat,” Azman was quoted saying.

He reportedly assured that PAS is gearing up its campaign machinery and coordinating with other Perikatan Nasional parties.

The Nenggiri by-election is being called after former Bersatu assemblyperson Mohd Azizi Abu Naim vacated the seat, following his decision to back Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

While some PAS members had pushed for their party to contest the seat, the party’s deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed on July 11 that Bersatu would retain the candidacy.

Azman expressed confidence in using the PAS logo, citing Kelantan’s tendency to vote along party lines since 1990.

“In Kelantan, following election tradition, voters tend to choose parties over individual candidates, as this state has belonged to PAS since 1990,” he added.

PAS women’s chief Nuridah Mohd Salleh had also pushed for a PAS candidate, confident that if selected and victorious, the representative would not switch allegiances like Azizi.

The Election Commission has fixed Aug 17 for polling, with nomination day on Aug 3 and early voting on Aug 13. - Mkini