A DISPUTE has emerged between PAS and Bersatu regarding the upcoming Nenggiri state seat by-election in Kelantan next month.
PAS leaders including Gua Musang chief Azman Ahmad have voiced their hope that Bersatu will step aside, allowing PAS to contest the seat. They argued that voters are concerned about the possibility of a Bersatu representative switching allegiances again.
Kelantan Bersatu chief Datuk Kamaruddin Nor responded by highlighting that party-switching is not unique to Bersatu. He cited instances within PAS, pointing to former PAS leaders Datuk Husam Musa and Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, who left to join Amanah.
“That’s his (Azman’s) opinion. But there is no issue because PAS has its own record (of representatives switching sides). Husam Musa and Mohamad Sabu were also from PAS.
“But I don’t want to go down that path. I have no issue, because every party has members who leave, not just Bersatu. UMNO has had members leave the party, and so has PAS,” Kamaruddin told FMT.
Mohamad Sabu, also known as Mat Sabu, was PAS’ deputy president before leaving in 2015 to form Amanah. Husam, a former PAS vice-president, joined Amanah in 2016 after being expelled from PAS.
Last week, Azman confirmed that Gua Musang PAS had proposed three candidates to the state leadership for the Nenggiri by-election on Aug 17. He expressed hope that a PAS candidate would be chosen, citing feedback that “voters no longer want to support Bersatu”.
Despite the contention, Kamaruddin asserted there was no significant conflict between the Perikatan Nasional components over the Nenggiri seat. He maintained confidence that Bersatu would be allowed to defend the seat, given their previous victory.
“Bersatu contested the seat and won, so we should be given priority,” he stated.
Nenggiri, previously a stronghold of UMNO, was won by Bersatu in the state election last year when Gua Musang MP Azizi Abu Naim defeated Barisan Nasional candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff by a margin of 810 votes. – July 12, 2024
