PETALING JAYA – PAS today denied reports that it plans to field Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a candidate for the Kemaman parliamentary by-election.
Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said the party has yet to discuss the by-election, including the choice of candidate.
“I only read about Dr Mahathir’s alleged candidacy in the media. Till today, we have yet to discuss anything related to the by-election.
“We would probably meet only next week in Kuala Lumpur,” the PAS vice-president told a press conference at the Terengganu assembly today.
Samsuri, who is also Terengganu menteri besar, was commenting on reports in a news portal that PAS would likely field Dr Mahathir as its candidate for Kemaman.
Sources close to Dr Mahathir revealed that negotiations had allegedly already begun.
Dr Mahathir is said to be the right candidate choice, as it would give the former prime minister the opportunity to act as a “more effective check and balance on the unity government”.
The report also said PAS wanted the former Langkawi MP to be their candidate to better represent the interests of the four PAS-led state governments.
Dr Mahathir was recently appointed as the adviser to the four PAS-led states.
The election court in Kuala Terengganu ruled last week that the outcome of the Kemaman election last year was void due to corrupt practices.
The seat was won by Che Alias Hamid of PAS. – The Vibes, October 4, 2023
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