Although spirits are high in the PAS camp, the party's partners in the Barisan Alternatif (BA) are "modest" about the opposition chances of winning the impending by-elections in Anak Bukit and Pendang.

Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who met voters in Pekan Pendang this morning, said PAS may be able to retain the seat in Pendang because the late PAS president Fadzil Noor was an incumbent here.

"The people here would want to carry on his struggle," Wan Azizah told malaysiakini , during her walkabout in the town where the Chinese business community form the majority of voters.

"But this by-election is really important to the Barisan Nasional and they will use the entire government machinery to win both seats," she added.

Pendang and neighbouring Anak Bukit are gearing up for this Thursday's by-elections pitting BN with PAS. The seats fell vacant following the death of Fadzil last month.

Chinese BA leaders have been diligently canvassing for PAS in Chinese-dominated areas like Tokai, Bukit Jenun and Sungai Tiang in Pendang.

Operations centres have been set up in strategic locations in the town and PAS has invited its Chinese members who are Muslim converts to speak at its daily ceramah (public talks).

Hudud law a problem

Meanwhile, PRM vice-president Lee Sang who accompanied Wan Azizah on her walkabout expressed concern about the outcome of the by-elections.

"The government through MCA and Gerakan is doing everything to threaten the Chinese voters about the Islamic state and hudud law," he told malaysiakini .

" Hudud law is a real problem here. The Chinese are all against it. When they asked us about it, we cannot explain in detail because we don't understand everything either," he added.

PRM secretary-general Dr Sanusi Osman conceded that the by-elections would be "difficult" for the opposition.

Attacking the ruling BN government for its intense propaganda against PAS, Sanusi said "the BN people had descended in full force upon Pendang and Anak Bukit with all the government machineries".

"We know that the BN is finding it a difficult election too as all their ministers, including the prime minister, have been visiting these areas since nomination day on July 10."

On the controversial Terengganu Syariah Criminal Offences (Hudud and Qisas) law recently passed, Sanusi said the issue has been politicised.

"The (federal) government knows it can put a stop to the implementation of the hudud law in Terengganu through the attorney-general anytime but they chose to let it go to frighten the voters," he said.