Pelangai by-election: PN capable of breaking tradition

KOTA BHARU - The victory of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam in the Pelangai by-election is claimed to be due to non-Malay votes, which make up the majority in the area.

However, Kelantan Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Md Noor said the decline in BN's votes signifies an increase in support for Perikatan Nasional (PN).

He added that PN also has the opportunity to win in Pahang if there were upcoming elections.

"We believe that the alliance of Bersatu and Pas can change the tradition in the State Legislative Assembly, which has long been held by BN and is no longer solely under their control.

"The Pelangai constituency, which is considered a Umno stronghold, can also weaken, so it is not impossible for Bersatu and Pas to break the dominance of that party in the State Legislative Assembly," he told Sinar on Sunday.

Kamaruddin, who was also a member of the PN Supreme Leadership Council, said the loss in Pelangai didn't dampen the PN's spirit to work harder.

"We also do not deny that many young voters have shifted their support to PN in that by-election.

Previously, it was reported that PN Pahang chairman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said that PN Pahang remains positive despite losing the by-election due to the reduced majority of votes obtained by BN.

In the by-election, Amizar won with a majority of 2,949 votes after receiving 7,324 votes, defeating PN candidate Kasim Samat, who received 4,375 votes, while independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni garnered 47 votes.