KUALA KRAI: Opposition leaders are optimistic that cooperation can help PAS retain the Manik Urai seat despite several issues including the unity government proposal.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party could focus on the election campaign now that the unity government issue has been resolved.

"PAS candidate (Mohd Fauzi Abdullah) is as good as the former Manik Urai state assemblyman (the late Ismail Yaakob) and insyaAllah we can win," he said after the nomination at Sekolah Menengah Sultan Yahya Petra 1 here Monday.

The Manik Urai state by-election on July 14 will be a straight fight between Mohd Fauzi of PAS and Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat of Barisan Nasional (BN).

Abdul Hadi thanked security forces for ensuring that the nomination went on smoothly and without any problems.

PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the Islamic movement in the country, particularly in Kelantan, would continue to thrive if all quarters continued to support PAS at Manik Urai.

"May the Islamic movement brought by PAS wins as our cooperation is better than the unity government," he said.

DAP deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw said the presence of many Opposition leaders Monday showed that they were bent on helping PAS retain Manik Urai.

"The candidate is a good man. We can surely win," he said.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said PKR would help PAS defend the state seat.

"I am confident that we have the advantage in Manik Urai," he added. (Bernama)