PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang is certainly keeping close to his heart the party's choice of candidate to contest the Kuala Terengganu by-election Jan 17.

However, party insiders have narrowed down the field to only two names, they being Terengganu PAS liason chief Mustafa Ali and Batu Burok assembly person Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, who was Kuala Terengganu MP from 1999 to 2004.

"As of now, the list is down to two, Mustafa and Syed Azman," the source said, adding Syed Azman seemed to have a slight edge.

pas muktamar 2008 hadi Hadi ( left ) is expected to make the announcement on the PAS candidate late tomorrow night after the Isyak (night) prayers and the solat hajat .(special request prayers) at the Kuala Terengganu stadium.

Initially, there were five names on the PAS list including Mustafa’s and Syed Azman’s. The others were Terengganu PAS deputy liason chief Wan Mutallib Embong, PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu and businessperson Dr Mohd Khazaini Abdullah.

It is reliably learnt that Mohd Khazani had asked for his name to be dropped from the list as he preferred to concentrate on his business interests, while the ever popular Mohamad Sabu, backed by PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, was not considered as he is not from Terengganu. Mohamad actually hails from Penang.

Barisan Nasional’s Umno had on Dec 20 already announced its candidate in Deputy Home Minister Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh.

Busy campaigning

Besides Umno and PAS which political analysts recognise as the main heavyweights, the virtually unknown Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia has named Haron Abdul Rahman Mohamad as their candidate while Rantau Panjang businessperson Isma Airfath Hassanuddin is also entering into the fray as an independent.

March 8 general election independent candidate and grandmother Maimun Yusuf, 85, who garnered 685 votes, has indicated she would not be contesting due to a lack of funds.

wan ahmad farid salleh interview 041007 talking Some observers have pointed out that PAS’ late announcement of its candidate has given Umno’s Wan Ahmad ( right ) somewhat of a head start in campaigning.

The deputy home minister was seen to be busy doing his rounds to visit voters in Kuala Terengganu over the past few days.

It remains to be seen whether this will translate into a significant lead for Wan Ahmad come polling day.

kuala terengganu parliament state seat breakdown 031208 Wan Mutalib Embong, who heads PAS Terengganu’s election machinery, however, does not think Wan Ahmad has garnered any significant sort of lead.

"Wan Ahmad Farid may have a head start but that does not mean we are resting on our laurels.

"PAS began its campaign early this month without any announcement of a candidate. The party has its own strategies and this late announcement will not affect our chances or preparations," Wan Mutalib told Malaysiakini today.

Significant advantage

Analysts say PAS holds a significant advantage in the Kuala Terengganu battle as three of the four state seats under the parliamentary constituency were won by PAS assembly persons.

The remaining state seat was won BN's Toh Chin Yaw from the MCA.

The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat has 80, 305 voters. The seat fell vacant following the death of Umno’s Deputy Education Minister Razali Ismail as a result of a heart attack.

In the last general election on March 8, Razali defeated Mohamad Sabu by a majority of 628 votes.