Malaysians can expect another drop in petrol prices next month before the Kuala Terengganu by-election on Jan 17 but according to PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar, this would not stop the voters in Kuala Terenggau from voting for the opposition.

Mahfuz, who is also Pokok Sena member of parliament, said during the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26, petrol prices were reduced by 15 sen but the people still voted for PKR’s Anwar Ibrahim.

"I expect the Barisan Nasional government would announce another price cut in pump prices next month just before the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

‘But this will not affect PAS’ chances of winning the seat. I feel the people in Kuala Terengganu are mature and will continue to support the opposition to be in parliament.

kuala terengganu parliament seat by election "The trend since the general election has been for the people to continue supporting the opposition. This tendency will continue," the PAS information chief told Malaysiakini today.

Presently, crude oil prices are US$38.68 per barrel a slight hike from last week's low at US$34 per barrel following the Israeli attacks on Gaza. Previously, oil recorded a declining trend for the past three months following an upward trend earlier this year which led to oil prices to soar to more than US$130 per barrel.

As a result of this, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced a steep overnight hike in petrol prices up by 78 sen to RM2.70 in June.

Mahfuz, 53, said although the petrol prices have been reduced by more than 80 sen since June, the prices of other products have not seen a similar downward trend.

"The reductions so far have not been translated into a reduction of prices for food and other essential items. It has been slow," he said.

‘Non-Malays will support us’

Mafuz said another point of confidence PAS had for winning Kuala Terengganu was that it had won three state seats within the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency.

The four state seats in Kuala Terengganu are Ladang, Bandar, Wakaf Mempelam and Batu Burok. BN only won the Bandar state seat through its MCA candidate.

"This shows that that our chances of winning Kuala Terengganu are very good."

Mahfuz ( below ) said Umno and BN were on the downturn following internal crises over money politics.

mahfuz omar utusan malaysia lawsuit 231208 01 "On the other hand, the Pakatan Rakyat parties have been working well ever since they were entrusted with running the five states. Despite the differences in the three parties, we have been able to work well under Pakatan Rakyat," he said.

"For PAS, winning Kuala Terengganu would be seen as a further step forward for the opposition parties to govern Malaysia."

Mahfuz also expressed confidence that the non-Malay voters would support the PAS candidate.

He said with the efforts of the PAS Supporters Club and DAP and PKR, they hoped to win over the non-Malay voters.

"We have asked the Chinese and Indian members in our PAS Supporters Club to mobilise to win the hearts of the non-Malay voters in Kuala Terengganu.

‘The scenario now is similar to the March 2008 general election when the non-Malays supported the opposition. This trend will likely continue for the by-election in Kuala Terengganu," he said.

Who will PAS pick?

On the hudud controversy, Mahfuz said it was an attempt to disrupt the unity among the opposition parties.

"It is just a small problem and it will not disrupt PAS’ campaign to win the Kuala Terengganu by-election," he said.

husam musa bangsar 080408 left PAS vice-president Husam Musa ( right ) had recently reiterated PAS' aspiration to implement hudud law (Islamic penal code) if and when Pakatan forms the next federal government.

A controversy then erupted with several quarters labelling PAS as ‘irresponsible’ and for ‘not being sensitive to the position of the non-Muslims in the country’.

PAS president Hadi Awang will announce the party’s candidate for the Kuala Terengganu by-election on Jan 1.

Four personalities said to be on the shortlist are Terengganu PAS commissioner Mustafa Ali, his deputy Wan Mutalib Embong, Batu Burok state assembly person Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi and businessperson Dr Mohd Khazani Abdullah.

Syed Azman is tipped to win the nomination.

The Kuala Terengganu seat has 80, 305 voters. The seat fell vacant following the death of Deputy Education Minister Razali Ismail as a result of a heart attack. BN has announced Deputy Home Minister Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh as its candidate for the by-election,