KOTA BARU: PAS has attributed its success in garnering 82% of the state seats in Kelantan to overwhelming support from young and outstation voters.
Datuk Ahmad Yakob, who was sworn in as Mentri Besar for the second term here on Thursday (May 10), said the overwhelming support helped PAS secure five more state seats than in GE13.
GE14 saw PAS sweeping to power for the seventh consecutive term, securing 37 out of 45 state seats.
Pakatan Harapan failed to clinch any seats as PKR lost its sole Guchil state seat.
Barisan Nasional won eight state seats but lost four, namely Pengkalan Kubor, Selising, Semerak and Dabong.
PAS maintained its hold on nine parliamentary seats, just as Barisan held on to five.
“We would like to record our appreciation to the people for giving us the mandate to continue ruling Kelantan,” Ahmad told a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony before acting Sultan Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra at 11.30am Thursday.
Ahmad said PAS also recorded increased majorities in a large number of seats.
“This shows an increase in support. This gives us confidence to continue with Islamic governance and ulama leadership,” he said.
On Barisan losing its grip on federal power for the first time in history, Ahmad said the rakyat’s dissatisfaction over the coalition had culminated in the “tsunami” of change.
Ahmad said Pakatan Harapan’s failure to win any seats in Kelantan was not surprising.
“We expected it. Because the approach taken by Pakatan may be suitable for the west coast, but not the east,” he said.
He added that the swearing-in ceremony for the deputy mentri besar and the new state executive line-up would be held within a few days after obtaining the acting Sultan’s consent.-thestar
