STATE POLLS | Twice bitten but far from being shy, former political analyst Samsu Adabi Mamat is instead proud of his past losses and now forging on as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate in Bukit Panau, Kelantan.

His third electoral attempt will see the 54-year-old going up against Perikatan Nasional's four-term incumbent from PAS, Abdul Fattah Mahmood.

In 2018, Samsu (above) opted for early retirement from academia to contest as a Bersatu candidate in Putrajaya, where he failed to unseat Umno's then minister and three-term incumbent Tengku Adnan Mansor.

"I was originally a lifelong Bersatu member, but when the betrayal happened against Harapan (federal government) because (Bersatu president) Muhyiddin Yassin sacrificed his struggle to be prime minister, I was set aside on (my) principle.

"I was at the time (former premier) Dr Mahathir Mohamad's special officer," Samsu told Malaysiakini when met in Tanah Merah last night.

"I had no party for two years, and then I returned to Dabong, Kuala Krai, to be a farmer," he said.

Samsu then moved on to join Pejuang where he was appointed as the party's Gua Musang division chief and contested the last GE15 under the party's banner in Gua Musang.

All of Pejuang's candidates including Mahathir had lost their bids, with most also losing their deposit.

Even with just 371 votes, Samsu said he remained proud as he had contributed to the defeat of Umno veteran and the country’s longest-serving parliamentarian, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

Amanah membership

The Bukit Panau hopeful had earlier this year joined Amanah and became an active member in Kuala Krai to support Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration.

"I'm of the view that all political parties now have their own problems and so each requires its own defenders.

"I'm grateful that Amanah values me as a person with some experience in politics and political theories, and I believe I can contribute something meaningful to the party and Madani government

"Among factors that led me to support Harapan is the prayer of the late (Kelantan menteri besar) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that Allah has granted for Anwar to be prime minister," he added.

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