analysis The Pengkalan Pasir by-election result sent a crystal clear message to PAS. The Islamic-based party must double its efforts to convince the people of Kelantan to support it in the next general election in 2008.

While PAS rakes its brains on how to do this, an equally daunting task awaits the Barisan Nasional (BN): fulfilling all the pledges made in the run-up to Tuesday's by-election.

Throughout the campaign, BN leaders, led by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, spoke at length on the need for development in the constituency and how PAS had failed to provide even the basic amenities to the locals.

A 40-year-old taxi driver from Kampung Dangar, who wanted to be known only as Che Lah, said BN's victory would be a test on the sincerity of its leaders.

"They told us we don't have development. They say they can do it (bring development) better than PAS. So now they have got our mandate, please honour the promises made," he added.

Che Lah said he wants to see the drainage and irrigation problem in the flood-prone area fixed.

His friend, a retired government servant who said he voted for PAS, warned that BN would face the people's wrath if it failed to fulfill the promises made.

"I am used to the flood as I have lived here all my life but I want to see if the BN leaders can fulfill their promises, including building a public university in Kelantan.

"During the last election, a Kelantan leader also said that the BN would build a university at his constituency in Bachok...but until today that has not happened," he added.

Serve the people

If the victorious BN candidate Hanafi Mamat keeps his word then the people of Pengkalan Pasir have nothing to be concerned about.

When met soon after the results were announced, Hanafi promised to look into the plight of his constituents as soon as possible.

"Although I won by a slim majority, I will do my best to serve the people. I will look into all the needs and try to fulfill them despite facing problems from the PAS government," he said.

PAS vice-president Husam Musa assured Hanafi that his party would not stop BN from developing the state.

"In fact, if BN leaders want to build the universities, the state would allocate the appropriate land for them...in both constituencies. I too want a university in Kelantan," he said.

However, Husam is rather sceptical about these promises materialising, saying that the state constituencies which were won by BN in the last general election were telling examples.

"Look at their constituencies. What development have they brought in? I have yet to see anything that can impress me," he said.

Arrogant attitude

If the coalition intends to capture the state, then BN leaders must learn the local custom and keep arrogance at bay, noted one observer.

This was in reference to what some have described to be the 'juvenile attitude' of a prominent Umno Youth leader which nearly resulted in a scuffle between supporters from both camps.

"How can a prominent leader behave like that?" asked a journalist, who was among those who saw the police being forced to intervene when tension ran high after the youth leader traded jeers with PAS supporters.

The incident had also left a bitter taste in the mouth of an Umno member from Kubang Chica.

"We were lucky that not many people know of this incident. I hope the leader will check himself the next time he comes here. If not our support will be short-lived," he said.

All said and done, PAS rule in Kelantan is on shaky ground as it now only has a single seat majority in the 45-seat state assembly.

Although the possibilities are remote, observers said the party must be on guard against possible defections from its state assemblypersons.

However one thing is for sure. PAS will not dissolve the state assembly.

"The BN can do whatever they like. We are still the legitimate government. No one can force us to dissolve.

Even if we win by half a vote, we still have the people's mandate to govern," said the party's spiritual leader and Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat yesterday.

On the same note, Husam said despite the defeat, the party could still hold its head high.

"I'm happy that the resistance from the people against the BN is still strong. We still managed to garner 160 more votes despite the one-sided media reports and going against the deputy premier who became the Pengkalan Pasir village head for the past week

"The future is not so bleak for PAS. There is hope yet," he added.