KUALA KRAI: PAS' victory in the Manik Urai by-election by only 65 votes indicates that a large section of voters in the state constituency want development and attention from the Barisan Nasional
government.

The result dismisses the perception that physical development was not important for the area where over 80 percent of its 30,000 residents are from the lower-income group, earning a living as rubber smallholders and tappers.

Although BN failed to wrest this PAS stronghold, the development message still got to the voters.

Politically, it is a slap for PAS as it had earlier predicted to win the seat with a comfortable majority of about 2,000 votes.

During the eight days of campaigning, BN had promised development for the area, including building a bridge in Manik Urai Lama and a mosque in Temalir, besides making Manik Urai an agropolitan area.

BN's announcements and related statements were rebutted by PAS, accusing BN of being worldly by placing importance on physical development and neglecting religious obligations.

As usual, PAS played up religious issues during campaigning, accusing the federal government of sidelining the people of Kelantan by denying the state of oil royalty, besides using national issues like the ISA and the Perak political crisis.

PAS' slim-majority win in Manik Urai is seen as a moral victory for Kelantan BN led by its liaison chief Datuk Mustapa Mohamed.

"The more efficient and systematic BN election machinery this time has contributed to this outcome," said a political observer from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani.

Without stating what they would do for the people of Manik Urai, PAS was seen to be more on the offensive by making personal attacks on UMNO and BN leaders while responding to criticisms against the party.

The issue of the unity government with UMNO was manipulated by PAS by bringing in PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa at the last minute to campaign to draw support.

"The unity government issue is seen as resolved when Nasharuddin kissed the hand of 'tok guru' Nik Aziz (Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat)," said a PAS supporter in reference to the proposed unity government which was strongly opposed by the PAS spiritual leader.

Prior to this, Nik Abdul Aziz had even asked the Bachok MP (Nasharuddin) to quit his post if he went ahead with the idea which was mooted by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Tuesday, PAS candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, 50, garnered 5,348 votes, defeating BN's Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, who obtained 5,283 votes in the Manik Urai by-election.

The voters turnout was 87 percent, exceeding the target of 85 percent, as 10,631 of the 12,293 voters had cast their votes.

To political analyst Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein, the result of the by-election did not mirror the rejection of either contesting party because of the slim-majority win.

"It is not a total loss for BN," he said.

"The undramatic defeat will give a new spirit to BN after the ruling coalition had only won one out of the six by-elections since the last general election.

"Narrowing the gap will boost BN's spirit with the confidence that they are still accepted by the Malays, especially in Kelantan," added Ahmad Atory.

Although victory is not with BN in Manik Urai, it is nevertheless a reminder for PAS that they cannot sing the same old tune to separate spiritual development and physical development. (By SYED AZWAN SYED ALI/ Bernama)