P KUBOR  PAS is "accepting" of the fact that PKR and DAP could not help the Islamist party in its campaign for the Pengkalan Kubor by-election.

 
PAS machinery director Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said that the PKR and DAP leadership could not lend support for the final days of campaigning due to issues related to the appointment of the new Selangor menteri besar.
 
"In these past two days PKR and DAP had to handle things related to their top leadership and have been called to attend meetings," he said.
 
However, Tuan Ibrahim (right) said that the party can "overcome" the absence of PAS' Pakatan partners.

Top Pakatan Rakyat leaders were notably missing at PAS' major ceramah for the Pengkalan Kubor by-election last night despite PAS' claims that some would attend.

Only top leaders from PAS itself attended the ceramah, which is part of the intense final lap of campaigning.

 

The absence of Pakatan leaders further highlighted the minimal support and participation from PAS' Pakatan partners in the by-election.

 

PKR had given way for PAS to contest the by-election at a time when PAS' handling of the Selangor Menteri Besar crisis had left their Pakatan partners deeply unimpressed.

 

PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat ( left ), president Abdul Hadi Awang, and vice-president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man attended the ceramah.

 

About 1,500 people showed up - the largest crowd to gather for a talk in this by-election.

 

PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, popularly known as Mat Sabu, was another notable absentee. He instead opted to conduct a ceramah at the Jubakar Darat area.

 

With about 24 hours left before Pengkalan Kubor goes to polls, PAS is making the final sprint, starting with prayers as early as 4am today.

 

Despite appearing frail, Nik Aziz is expected to participate in the programme.

BN meanwhile is busy capitalising on PAS and also Pakatan's internal strife to campaign in the by-election constituency, which has 24,000 voters.

The federal ruling coalition is fielding Mat Razi Mat Ali while PAS has named Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim.

 

Meanwhile, independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary is seen to be quite "silent". He is trying his luck for a second time after losing his deposit when he contested as an independent in the 13th general election.

 

BN has held the state seat for the past two terms.

 

Pengkalan Kubor voters consists of 92 percent Malays, 6.8 percent others, 0.96 percent Chinese and 0.10 percent Indians.