SABAK BERNAM, June 18 — After conceding defeat to Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Sungai Besar by-election, PAS’ Dr Abdul Rani Osman said the “real test” comes instead in the afterlife.
The Meru assemblyman who contested for the seat and lost by 9,898 votes to BN’s Budiman Mohd Zohdi and 707 votes to offshoot Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur respectively, said Islam has taught him to prepare for defeats in life.
“I don’t feel anything after losing because in Islam, the victory is in the afterlife,” he told reporters at PAS’ office here.
Budiman retained the seat for BN with 16,800 votes, Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur came in second with 7,609 votes while Dr Rani garnered 6,902 votes.
Dr Rani however admitted that it was difficult for the Islamist party to go against BN in the by-elections, claiming that the ruling coalition was strong in terms of its campaigning machinery and funding.
Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Iskandar Samad admitted that the defeat was a mistake to learn from.
He said it was expected for the ethnic Chinese majority Sekinchan voters not to choose the party.
“If we want to win the Chinese votes, we must rethink all aspects,” he said.
The Selangor executive council member also admitted that it was difficult for the party to work alone, and he aimed to work closely with non-governmental organisations to ensure the party remains relevant in the country’s political landscape.
The turnout for Sungai Besar by-election was 14 percentage points lower compared to the 88 per cent turnout in the last general elections, as expected by many including the EC due to outstation voters not returning to vote.
The Sungai Besar federal constituency has 42,836 voters comprising 22,227 Malays votes, 13,142 Chinese, and 820 Indians with 98 from other races, according to statistics from the Election Commission.
The Sungai Besar by-election was triggered after the death of Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon in a helicopter crash in May while she was there for the Sarawak state elections.
