Fanatical, irrational PAS supporters caused BN defeat: PM

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PAS supporters who are fanatical and unable to think rationally were the cause behind Barisan Nasional's defeat in the Anak Bukit state by-election in Kedah, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In a Bernama report today, the premier said PAS members were obsessed with their leaders and will execute their bidding even if it contravenes the teachings of Islam and the values of the Malay Malaysians.

In yesterday's by-election, PAS candidate Amiruddin Hamzah defeated BN's Zakaria Said with a majority of 508 votes.

"I don't think it's the candidate factor...they (PAS fanatics) never give a thought, they were set in their minds to vote for the (PAS') moon symbol," he was quoted as saying by the national news agency.

The premier also disagreed with the suggestion that a person who had served several terms should not be fielded in subsequent elections.

"I retained my [Kubang Pasu parliamentary] seat six times...contested seven times, lost once.

"With such condition imposed, I would not have been able to seek re-election and would not have become the PM for over 20 years," said the 76-year-old premier who announced recently that he will resign late next year.

"If a new face were to be fielded, some may still not be in favour...what's wrong with fielding an old face? It's easier said than done," he added.

PAS tendency

On the PAS supporters' action to block several buses ferrying BN campaign workers, Mahathir said the incident proved that they did not respect the law.

He added that this has been the tendency for PAS supporters who believed that such tactics could help them win elections.

Despite the defeat in Anak Bukit, BN managed to win the Pendang parliamentary seat in yesterday's by-election with a wafer-thin majority of 283 votes.

The by-elections were called following the death of the representative for the two constituencies, PAS president Fadzil Noor, last month.



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