PAS: Infighting not reason for bigger loss
MalaysiaKini.com
Sept 26, 2014

P KUBOR Faced with a bigger loss at the Pengkalan Kubor by-election, PAS insists that it is not due to infighting within the party.

PAS by-election director Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that neither is it caused by the absence of top Pakatan Rakyat leaders during campaign.

"Overall, the absence of Pakatan leaders, especially DAP wasn't a big deal. It's not a factor.

"It's just internal polemics about what happened. If we look at it, everyone went to ground (to campaign).

"The matter of (internal) problems did not arise. I accept what happened," he said during a press conference after BN's victory was announced.

PAS' Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim (right) lost to BN by 2,635 votes - an addition of 899 votes to the majority BN garnered at last year's general election.

Tuan Ibrahim, nevethless, admitted that today's result had a big impact on PAS as it lost by a wider margin.

"I am sad of course, but we have strived, perservered, and are resigned to fate," he said.

BN's Mat Razi Mat Ismail had received 9,961 votes, PAS 7,326, while the Independent candidate won 37 votes.

In 13th general elections, BN's Noor Zahidi had beaten PKR's Saharun Ibrahim and independent Izat Bukhary with a majority of 1,736 votes.

BN goodies to blame

Instead, Tuan Ibrahim blamed PAS' lost on handouts by BN to poor constituents.

"Among the poor, such big handouts might be a factor.

"The handouts, which can't be denied, will influence the poor, and we plan to conduct a post-mortem on this matter," he said.

Another possible deciding factor, he added, were outstation voters who did not come back to vote.

"Outstation voters who support PAS but couldn't come back is also one of the causes of defeat, because these outside voters lean towards PAS.

"Also, the youth in this constituency are unpredictable. Votes among young voters shows that something is amiss. We will look into it," the PAS vice-president added.

Meanwhile, PAS candidate Wan Rosdi thanked the party machinery.

PAS had earlier today raised suspicion of vote-buying, after it spotted many residents riding on their motorcycles with microwave ovens under their arms.

Asked of this after the results were announced, a beaming Mat Razi (centre in picture) said he has no knowledge of the oven giveaway.

Thanking BN leaders for entrusting him with the seat, he said that the higher majority was "unexpected" and a "gift to the people of Pengkalan Kubor".

"They want to see the leadership provide assistance to this constituency for the sake of its development," he said.

Also with Mat Razi was BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said that the resounding victory is "extraordinary and unexpected".

"I thank Kelantan BN chief Mustapa Mohamed for his excellent service as election director and the dedicated election machinery,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak also said that the wider margin was beyond expectations.

Sending his congratulations from New York, Najib, who is also prime minister, said the win will serve as an impetus for BN to further strengthen its machinery.

BN won four out of seven by-elections since the last general election, but sat out the Bukit Gelugor by-election.

Copyright © 1999-2012 Mkini Dotcom Sdn. Bhd	
Sourcehttp: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/275785