Kuala Besut by-election: Uphill task for PAS, says Ideas’ Wan Saiful

 

(The Star) – If PAS opposed the clause especially the part that said when one of the parents converts to Islam  the child will have to follow, the accusation would be that PAS had sold itself to the non-Muslims. 

Kuala Besut will be a difficult state seat for PAS to capture in the upcoming by-election. 

“Umno and the whole Barisan Nasional machinery will be in Terengganu to ensure the coalition retains the Kuala Besut seat,” said Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan. 

The 38-year-old, who is also a member of PAS, feels that Umno has the upper-hand in the Kuala Besut by-election, the date for which will be decided by the Elections Commission today. 

“I don’t think PAS or Pakatan Rakyat stand a good chance to win. The majority for Umno in Kuala Besut during GE13 was quite comfortable. It’s not going to be an easy one for PAS,” he said.

The state seat became vacant following Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar’s death due to a lung problem on June 26.

He retained the seat for a second term with a majority of 2,434 votes against PAS candidate Napisah Ismail on May 5 elections.

Wan Saiful also feels that the recent child conversion issue in the Administration of Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 might also play a key role in the by-election.

“I can see that PAS is already thinking about the Kuala Besut by the way the party is dealing with the Bill,” he said.

According to Wan Saiful, if PAS opposed the clause especially the part that said when one of the parents converts to Islam  the child will have to follow, the accusation would be that PAS had sold itself to the non-Muslims. 

“PAS will be in a tricky position because of their partnership with DAP and PKR. They will have to position themselves correctly for the Kuala Besut election.

“They are biding their time to see how to tackle this issue,” he said. However, Wan Saiful said he wouldn’t be surprised if PAS comes up with a stand completely different from their Pakatan counterparts.  

Wan Saiful participated in a Q&A session conducted by The Star Online. During the session, he answered questions ranging from PAS-Umno unity talks to the sex-video allegations against the party secretary general Datuk Mustafa Ali.