KUALA KRAI: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today refuted the claim by PAS that there was "cah keting" (Kelantanese term for sabotage) in the selection of the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Manik Urai state seat by-election.

The Umno deputy president said Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, the BN candidate, had the full support of Umno members, especially from the Kuala Krai division.

"It is only PAS' assumption that there was sabotage as Tuan Aziz has also received the support of young people, and we believe that he is acceptable to all groups," Muhyiddin said.

He was speaking to reporters in Kampung Sok Urai here Sunday after announcing Tuan Aziz, 39, the Kuala Krai Umno Youth head, as the BN candidate for the Manik Urai by-election on July 14. Nomination of candidates is on July 6.

PAS had announced Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, 50, as its candidate to defend the seat.

Muhyiddin reiterated that Tuan Aziz was BN's best candidate for the constituency which would see more development programmes undertaken by the federal government if BN wins the seat.

"We will develop the area regardless who controls it, like now where it is under PAS," he said, adding that what was more important was for Umno and BN to be united and work hard to ensure victory in the by-election.

He said BN had its own strategy to win the people's support and that BN was serious about developing the area.

Meanwhile, Tuan Aziz pledged that he would help develop Manik Urai if chosen by the voters to represent the constituency.

The Kuala Krai-born who has a Bachelor's degree in Technology Management from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said he grew up in Kuala Krai, hence understood the needs of the people in the area.

He said if elected, he would put to good use his experience as the Monitoring and Coordination manager with the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) and his other work experience in the government and private sectors in developing the constituency.

"I'm used to the problems of the people here and I will do by best for BN," he said.

The Manik Urai by-election is held following the death of the incumbent assemblyman Ismail Yaakob on May 22 from a heart attack. (Benrama)