COMMENT Being underdogs, Parti Amanah Negara candidates will have to fight a tough battle in the two by-elections scheduled in Sungei Besar and Kuala Kangsar.

The contest is essentially between Amanah and BN or Umno, whereas PAS will merely function to spoil the votes for Amanah or divert the votes for the ultimate victory of BN.

The two by-elections will see a fierce contest where race and religions would be used to the maximum, both by PAS and Umno.