Galas is ‘god’s wakeup call’, says PAS info chief
By FMT Staff
KUALA LUMPUR: PAS’ loss in the Galas state seat by-election last week is ‘god’s wakeup call’ to the slumbering PAS-led Kelantan state regime.
“Ignore this truth and we will crash in the 13th general elections,’ warned party Information chief Idris Ahmad.
He said while defeat was part and parcel of any competition, ‘accepting defeat’ in totality was ‘pointless.’
“It’s pointless just accepting defeat in Galas as part of the culture of contest. Both Galas and Batu Sapi must be recognised as an early warning to hasten preparations towards the 13th general election.
“This is god’s wake up call to slumbering PAS.
“We have become complacent since our success the 12th general election. Better this than a shocking defeat at the 13th GE,” he said.
On Nov 4, Barisan Nasional experienced a double victory with wins in the Galas state and Batu Sapi (Sabah) parliamentary by-polls.
In Galas BN candidate Abdul Aziz Yusoff wrested the PAS-held seat with 1,190 vote majority while in Batu Sapi, Linda Tsen beat veterans Ansari Abdullah (PKR) and Yong Teck Lee (Sabah Progressive Party) in a three-cornered tussle to retain the seat held by her late husband Edmund Chong by a 6,359 votes margin.
The twin wins have boosted BN’s confidence going into the 13th general election scheduled for anytime before 2012.
Undaunted
Idris said the outcome in Galas was not surprising because PAS had barely managed to keep Manek Urai (Kelantan) in an earlier by-election.
“Manek Urai is suppose to be a PAS stronghold yet we only managed to win by 65 votes. And the same in Pengkalen Pasir. This too is a PAS stronghold yet we lost the seat and later won it back in the 12th general election,” he said.
“We are concerned, yes, but but not daunted by the loss in Galas. It does not mean that we are tired of the struggle.
