PAS improves strength in Kelantan

KOTA BARU: Despite being challenged in a three-cornered fight for most of its state seats in the 14th General Election (GE14), while at the same time being plagued by internal problems, PAS still managed to get stronger mandate to stay in power in Kelantan, the state the party has been ruling for the past 28 years.
In yesterday's polls, PAS gained more seats, winning 37 of the 45 state seats compared to the 33 in GE13, including one through PKR, its ally then.
The GE14 also saw Barisan Nasional (BN) getting eight state seats in Kelantan, while the other parties, namely PKR, PSM and several Independent candidates, failed to gain any seat.
PAS also wrested four state seats won by BN previously, namely Selising, Semerak, Pengkalan Kubur and Dabong.
Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz, the son of the late PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who contested on the PKR-Amanah ticket, lost the three-cornered fight to Chempaka incumbent Ahmad Fathan Mahmood.
Nik Omar was expected to attract PAS supporters to Amanah, but this failed to upset PAS.
Meanwhile, Kelantan PAS commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yakob, who was successful in defending his Pasir Pekan state seat, took the oath as the state's Mentri Besar for the second term before Kelantan Regent Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra at Istana Kota Lama here today.
Ahmad, 67, who is the PAS Deputy Spiritual Leader, said the support of young voters as well as awareness of outstation voters were among the major factors contributing to PAS's big win in Kelantan.
"I thank the people of Kelantan who have chosen PAS, we have been given the mandate again to continue ruling the state," he said.
PAS also won nine of the 14 parliamentary seats in Kelantan, while BN retained five seats, namely Jeli, Gua Musang, Tanah Merah, Ketereh and Machang.
Kelantan BN chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed retained the Jeli parliamentary seat Air Lanas state seat, although Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who was expected to win the Pasir Puteh parliament seat was defeated. — Bernama