PAS election director Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman said the party would conduct a post-mortem on the Galas by-election this Sunday.

galas by election pas pays rm250 301010 abdul halim abdul rahman According to him, PAS had been prepared for defeat, but was shocked by the size of it.

"We felt that even if we were to lose, it would be by 600 to 700 votes, going by past trends. A defeat by more than 1,000 votes shocked us," Halim said.

Barisan candidate Abdul Aziz Yusof obtained 5,324 votes while Dr Zulkifli Mohamed secured 4,134 in the straight contest.

Abdul Halim rejected suggestions that the defeat was due to PAS adopting the wrong strategy.

"The strategy was right. May be it was not well executed, but the strategy was right," he said.

Nik Aziz consoles PAS faithful

Meanwhile PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat told supporters of the party not to despair over the loss of the Galas state seat to BN.

"As fighters for Islam, we should not despair over such a situation because it is part of the trials and tribulations that Muslims must face," said the Kelantan menteri besar.

Speaking to reporters after launching a drive to collect funds for an extension to the Mukim Panji mosque in Kota Bharu, Nik Aziz said the Barisan usually did well in by-elections because "they had the machinery to do anything" and could focus their efforts.

Nik Aziz had earlier said that he accepted the defeat if the people truly wanted Barisan and not because they were threatened or bribed.  

        

- Bernama