State polls: PAS' position in Kelantan challenged?
KOTA BHARU - Winds of change are swiftly sweeping through Kelantan as Pas is alleged to potentially lose several seats in tomorrow's State Election (PRN).
This assumption has a basis, given that several seats won by the party in the 14th General Election (PRU14) with majorities below 1,000 are now seen as not safe for Pas.
These seats are Apam Putra State Legislative Assembly (348), Wakaf Bharu (387), Dabong (589), Semerak (632), Melor (647), and Kemahang (923).
Making matters more unsettling for Pas is when the current mood of PRN witnesses a head-to-head contest between the party and the Barisan Nasional-Pakatan Harapan (BN-PH) alliance, which has formed a coalition at the national level through the Unity Government.
The BN-PH collaboration also puts some grey areas at play, as both parties now have the opportunity to potentially reclaim seats in the ongoing PRN.
Among the seats potentially susceptible to be taken by this alliance are Kota Lama, Semerak, Selising, Gual Periok, Tendong, Jelawat and several other constituencies.
Adding to the pressure on Pas, BN-PH put forth 34 proposals based on four main cores - Islamic Values, Economy, Education, Women and Youth, as well as the Northern Kelantan Development Corporation with the theme Unity for Stability and Prosperity which have been PH garnering positive responses among the people.
Among these proposals, the clearance of arrears owed to Air Kelantan Sdn Bhd (AKSB), reduction of land tax rates, free parking facilities, establishment of Kolej Universiti Al-Quran Tahfiz and more.
The wave of change is being felt as tens of thousands of state residents 'flood' the Madani Unity Expedition programme every time the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, delivers a lecture.
Rumors on Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah 'ascending' to the position of the top leader of Kelantan added fuel to the flames of the people's awakening.
Pas' sense of apprehension was also evident when its Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan made a surprising announcement of reshuffling the positions of the State's Menteri Besar and Deputy Menteri Besar.
This reshuffle introduces a new combination, comprising a religious figure and technocrat, subject to the people's mandate and the consent of the Sultan of Kelantan.
The issue of the end of Tok Guru's legacy, after the son of late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Nik Mohamad Abduh or Nik Abduh was not listed as a state election candidate, is also seen as a challenge to Pas' current position.
The removal of 16 excellent elected representatives, which sparked opposition at the grassroots level, also dealt a blow to Pas in the upcoming state polls.
Meanwhile, eight seats won by BN in the previous PRU-14 are well-positioned to remain, except for Kok Lanas, subsequent to the mass exodus of top Umno leaders in the Ketereh Division.
Nevertheless, BN still has a chance to retain these seats by fielding local candidates, while Pas, through its candidate from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), brings in 'imported' candidates.
