GE14 | Umno is confident they can wrest Marang from PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in the coming poll.

According to Sinar Harian, Marang Umno claimed the seat is no longer a PAS stronghold, and the Islamist party's influence will end with the 14th general election.

“The contest will surely be a close one, and I am confident BN will win this time.

"Our confidence is based on the level of unity within the party and the spirit and commitment shown by the party machinery,” Marang Umno chief Nik Dir Nik Wan Ku was reported as saying.

He is also confident they can win Hadi's state seat Ru Rendang, which lies within Marang

“Based on the reaction for the people, I believe Ru Rendang will be BN's with the help of nearly 10,000 Umno members, fence sitters and PAS voters who are not satisfied with their party,” he told Sinar.

Ru Rendang and Marang have been seen as PAS' strongest fortress in Terengganu, held by their party president.

In the last general election, Hadi defended Marang with a 5,124 majority, and Ru Rendang with a 2,819 majority.

Nik Dir, who is also Umno coordinator for Ru Rendang and its candidate in 2013, said his party has never ignored the constituents there despite their defeat.

They have continued to go to the ground to connect with the constituents, he said, citing for example how 33 families in Rusila received funds for home and roof repairs amounting to RM2 million.