After 28 years, will there be winds of change?

The conventional sentiments used by PAS to maintain its support base are no longer valid... Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki

KOTA BARU: More than a million Kelantanese will decide today if they still want to live under PAS’ 28yearlong ulama governance or switch to a new government of either Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan.

In his final address before polling, state Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the voters’ decision would chart the course for Kelantan for the next five years.

He called on Kelantanese to set aside their political differences and vote in the interest of the state and their future.

Mustapa also rubbished claims that Barisan would sideline Islam if it came to power in Kelantan.

“We will strike a balance between physical and spiritual development,” he said.

Pakatan Harapan meanwhile is banking on its decision to name Nik Omar Nik Ab Aziz as its potential mentri besar candidate to serve as a gamechanger.

Nik Omar, the son of the late PAS icon Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, has become a 14GE star to watch when he decided at the 11th hour on Nomination Day to make his maiden foray into politics.

Nik Omar has also been at Pakatan Harapan ceramah outside Kelantan.

Parti Amanah Negara vicepresident Husam Musa described Nik Omar as an important icon for the party.

Barisan Nasional’s Pasir Puteh candidate Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said decisions made by the sons of former top PAS leaders to jump ship and join rival parties have left many supporters confused.

“The conventional sentiments used by PAS to maintain its support base are no longer valid, as people wonder why sons of former party stalwarts have joined other parties,” he said.

Asyraf was referring to Nik Omar, the late former PAS president Datuk Fadzil Noor’s son Faiz, and another former president Yusof Rawa’s son Datuk Dr Mujahid who have all left the Islamist party.

“In its desperation, PAS has started playing its old record to fish for votes – by claiming that those who vote for PAS would go to heaven,” he said.

Asyraf hopes Barisan would meet its target of winning 32 out of the 45 state seats, and nine of the 15 parliamentary seats.

Former Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Ab Rashid Ab Rahman, who is contesting the Kota Lama state seat as a Pakatan Harapan candidate, has been trying in vain to initiate a debate culture in the runup to the polls.

“My challenge to debate fell on deaf ears,” he said.

Barisan’s sole MCA candidate Chua Hock Kuan, who is also vying for the Kota Lama seat, has touched many hearts with his serviceoriented campaign strategy.

PAS research centre director Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki claimed Pakatan Harapan was desperate to fish for the 7% of Muslim Barisan Nasionalfriendly fence sitters.

“The fence sitters can swing the vote in favour of PAS, and we would likely attract 52% of Muslim voters, compared with Barisan (39%) and Pakatan Harapan (9%),” he said.

He claimed Pakatan Harapan had produced lopsided analyses in its desperation to maintain its winning mentality syndrome.

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob does not believe in making empty “renewal” promises just to gain popularity.

“During the era of Tok Guru Nik Aziz, we already made the changes, transferring the state government’s account from usury system to Islamic system, barring sales of liquor, and many other measures that are in accordance with Islamic teaching,” he said.