Cracks showing in PN over Nenggiri seat, says analyst

Awang Azman Pawi points out that PAS organ Harakah Daily has been publishing articles pushing for the Islamic party to contest the by-election.

(FMT) – The clamour between PAS and Bersatu to contest the Nenggiri state by-election shows cracks in the relationship between the two main Perikatan Nasional parties, says an analyst.

Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said both opposition parties appeared to be looking to display their strength, especially given the amount of attention the by-election is attracting.

He pointed out that PAS organ Harakah Daily has been publishing articles pushing for PN to allow the Islamic party to contest the by-election, including one quoting Wanita PAS chief Nuridah Salleh.

“I believe they want to show that it’s PAS that will bring them the win at the polls, not Bersatu, especially in Kelantan,” he told FMT.

He said if PN decides on fielding a Bersatu candidate, the coalition will have to ensure it retains the confidence of PAS supporters, particularly those who might fear having another Nenggiri assemblyman following in the footsteps of incumbent Azizi Abu Naim.

Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang MP, is among six former Bersatu MPs who have pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Gua Musang PAS chief Azman Ahmad has submitted three names to the state leadership to be considered as candidates in Nenggiri, despite PN chairman and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin previously saying his party would contest the by-election.

However, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man confirmed yesterday that Bersatu would be contesting since “the seat belongs to Bersatu”.

In response, Azman said the PAS division’s machinery would not boycott the by-election campaign, and that the three names submitted were merely a proposal.

Akademi Nusantara’s Azmi Hassan said PAS had a stronger claim to contest the Nenggiri seat, given Bersatu’s defeat in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election and its failure to rein in seven of its “rogue” elected representatives.

He pointed out that Bersatu’s win in Nenggiri during the Kelantan state election last August, where Azizi won with a slim 810-vote majority, was thanks to PAS supporters.

Azmi said PAS would also be buoyed by its success in retaining the Sungai Bakap state seat in the by-election last weekend, with a strong 4,267-vote majority.

Nenggiri voters go to the polls on Aug 17, with nominations set for Aug 3. The seat was declared vacant after Azizi ceased to be a Bersatu member.