PAS, which is being challenged by its splinter party, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election is confident there will not be any split votes between them.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said based on the party’s performance in the last general election, he was confident its candidate would succeed in the by-election.
“This is because there has never been any split votes among PAS voters and this will certainly give us the victory,” he told reporters after the nomination process at the Dewan Jubli Perak, Sunday.
In the 13th General Election (GE13), PAS candidate Khalil Idham Abdullah obtained 13,136 votes, losing to Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad who obtained 14,218 votes (BN won with a majority of 1,082 votes).
The Kuala Kangsar by-election is being held following the death of Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.
The by-election is a four-cornered fight involving BN, PAS, Amanah and an independent candidate.
PAS is represented by Perak PAS Women’s wing head, Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid representing BN, Kuala Kangsar Amanah vice-chairman Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli and independent candidate, Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.
Abdul Hadi had earlier joined PAS supporters in accompanying Najihatussalehah to the nomination center.
Meanwhile, Dr Najihatussalehah said her promise to voters in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency was to bring the message, ‘Amar Maaruf Nahi Munkar’.
Commenting on Amanah’s strategy, its vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub said the party would continue to campaign even during the month of Ramadan.
“For us, Ramadan or no Ramadan, we will campaign, we respect the voters, the differences and will put forth a new, more mature politics. Our campaign concept is fit for all times, it will not be a problem even though it’s the month of Ramadan,” he added.
Meanwhile, independent candidate Izat Bukhary, who uses the symbol of the ‘Pen’, said he would continue with what had been done in the constituency and ensure that the implementation of Islam was on track.
“I come from Kota Baharu, Kelantan, but my wife is from Kuala Kangsar,” he added.
Izzat Bukhary had contested as an independent for the Chempaka state seat in GE13.
The Election Commission has fixed June 18 as polling day.