PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has urged other parties that want to contest in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar twin by-elections, to gauge whether they actually have any support in those constituencies.

This is because the Islamist party has strong support in both areas, making them the best choice to contest it, he said.

"All parties that want change in this country should respect PAS' position. Don't squabble (over seats).

"PAS is being realistic about Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar. They should “ukur baju di badan sendiri (cut their coats according to their cloths),” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

Both PAS and its splinter party Amanah are eyeing the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar seats.

Hadi said this would result in votes splitting in seats where PAS has been contesting since 1959 and has been gaining support over the past several decades.

"We have no problems contesting in these areas, the number of votes we've been getting (in the past general elections) have been increasing," he said.

The Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar seats were vacated when incumbent MPs Noriah Kasnon and Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, died in a helicopter crash in Sarawak.

The Elections Commission has decided that both contests will run simultaneously, with polling day set on June 18.