Ex-Amanah VP Husam Musa named PKR's Pasir Mas candidate

Former Amanah vice president Husam Musa has been named as PKR’s candidate to contest in Pasir Mas.

Husam told reporters that the Amanah leadership is aware of his decision to contest under PKR.

“I have to fill in a form (to join PKR),” he said.

He acknowledged that it will be an uphill battle in the constituency which PAS’ Ahmad Fadhli Shaari won with a 13,075 vote majority in the 14th general election (GE14) in 2018.

“I am given the heavy task of competing in Pasir Mas where PAS has won with a large majority,” he said today.

“This (My victory) depends on the support of the people, especially the younger generation. Maybe with this mood change, I can contribute victory to Pakatan Harapan,” he added.

Husam denied that his contesting under PKR will create a rift with Amanah, saying it is a non-issue as both parties are like "siblings" under Harapan.

He also likened it (changing of parties to contest) to changing positions in a football match, to see which position can ensure a victory for the team.

Pasir Mas is a Malay-majority seat, which has seen PAS take the seat with a thumping majority in three general elections since 2008.

Husam (above), who is also a former Kelantan state executive councillor from 2004 to 2013, ran for the Kota Bahru parliamentary seat in 2018 and lost to PAS candidate Takiyuddin Hassan with a majority of 5,869 votes.

He also previously served as the Kubang Kerian MP from 1999 to 2004 and was a member of the Dewan Negara from 2018 to 2021.

In September 2020, he resigned from the position of vice president of Amanah and became more involved with NGO Save Kelantan.

“I hope Kelantan or Terengganu can give Harapan its first victory,” he added.

The decision to field the former Amanah man was revealed at a PKR event in Padang MPAJ, Ampang, Selangor which saw a 3,000-strong crowd flocking to see the party unveil its list of candidates.

Tonight’s announcement also revealed PKR’s candidate for Pasir Salak, Nik Omar Nik Aziz, who is the son of the late PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Nik Omar, a former PAS member, contested the Chempaka state seat as an Amanah member in GE14.

Save Kelantan sends 'condolence' message to Husam

Husam wants K'tan to explain alleged GLC logging in virgin jungle reserve

Husam's allegations not true, says Air Kelantan

Husam's criticism of Amanah overboard, says K'tan party chair