KEMAMAN – Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar emerged victorious in the Kemaman parliamentary by-election, securing a substantial vote majority of over 37,000, as per the official results announced by the Election Commission (EC).
In a head-to-head contest against Barisan Nasional candidate Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, who garnered 27,778 votes, Samsuri triumphed with an impressive 64,998 votes, securing a vote majority of 37,220.
Expressing gratitude in a brief video following his win, Ahmad Samsuri extended thanks to voters, PAS party workers, and the diverse public personnel, including those from the police, Fire and Rescue Department, EC, and the Health Ministry, involved in the electoral process.
He expressed optimism about the significant majority, attributing it to collective hard work and hinting at potential developments leading towards Putrajaya.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang conveyed his appreciation on social media platform X for the substantial victory, thanking voters and applauding the dedicated election machinery.
Abdul Hadi interpreted the increased vote majority as a clear signal of public discontent towards the unity government, emphasizing the heightened responsibilities awaiting Samsuri.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan viewed the win as evidence of growing support for the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
He considered it a referendum against Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership and the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition, citing the failure of the federal government to gain trust and support despite a year in power.
Takiyuddin noted that the Kemaman by-election’s results reflected a decline in support for the PH-BN coalition compared to the 15th General Election, attributing it to the rejection of “politics of allocations” and questionable tactics by Putrajaya to pressure opposition MPs and state governments.
PAS reiterated its commitment to mature and democratic politics, both as the parliamentary opposition and as a governing party in the states it oversees.
Additionally, PAS expressed readiness to assume greater responsibilities at the national level, citing the federal government’s perceived failure in safeguarding the nation and its people from adverse impacts.
The by-election’s outcome marked a continued shift in political dynamics, emphasizing the electorate’s discontent and the challenges faced by the ruling coalition.
