PAS MP: Don’t underestimate BN’s promises

Written by Sharon Tan, The Edge

PAS Kuala Krai MP Dr Hatta Ramli said the party should not underestimate the effects of the promises made by Barisan Nasional (BN), which include a new bridge linking Manek Urai Lama and Manek Urai Baru, adding that although most voters in the area were partisan, they could be influenced with such a tempting promise.

"It is now time to consolidate and the newly elected representative must perform to the wishes of the people," he said.
 
While acknowledging there would be no honeymoon period, Hatta said he was surprised with the results, but stressed that PAS managed to defend the seat through a strong party machinery that had to face heavy BN propaganda.
 
"We are happy that we still managed to retain our base voters despite a slim majority," he said when asked if asked whether it was a win by PAS after all.
 
Kelantan State Executive Councilor Datuk Husam Musa said that although BN had lost, the ruling coalition should honour its promise to build the new bridge since it had won the ballot boxes in the Manek Urai Lama and Manek Urai Baru.
 
PAS candidate Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat said he respected the decision of the voters, which saw the party win by a razor-thin majority of 65 votes, but noted that the result would not deter him to serve and fulfill the wishes of his constituency.

PAS had polled 5348 votes against BN's 5283 votes in the tightly contested seat that was previously won in 2008 by PAS candidate Ismail Yaacob with a 1,352-vote majority. 

The Manek Urai state seat fell vacant on when the 60-year-old assemblyman died from a heart attack on May 22.