KUALA KRAI: PAS deputy-president Nasharudin Mat Isa is confident that the party will be able to retain the Manik Urai state assembly seat with a higher majority than it got in the 2008 general election.

"I am sure that PAS will attain a higher majority (in Manik Urai) based on the recent wins in the Kuala Terengganu and Bukit Gantang by-elections.

"PAS successfully raised issues regarding the daily lives of residents in Manik Urai, while UMNO have not come up with much issues that are relevant to residents here," he told reporters after performing prayers with PAS spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, and PAS supporters at the Perial Mosque, near here today (11 July).

During the last general election, PAS candidate Ismail Yaacob defeated Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohamed Zulkifli Omar with a 1,352 vote majority.

Regarding allegations that he was not listed to campaign for PAS in Manik Urai due to strained relations with Nik Abdul Aziz on an issue related to the coalition government recently, Nasharudin said it was only an assumption made by Umno.

The Manik Urai by-election on July 14 will see a contest between BN candidate Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, and PAS candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, 50. (Bernama)