PAS’ Mega Ceramah in Segamat tonight saw a poor showing, with only about 100 people turning up for the event.

In the open field in the suburb of Kg Abdullah, seven candidates from the Segamat, Labis and Pagoh constituencies were introduced to the crowd of mainly PAS members.

Ilham Centre director Hisomuddin Bakar said the poor attendance showed the party had dropped off the voters’ radar.

“Now that PAS has left the opposition mainstream, it  will find it hard to improve support for the party. This is particularly true in Johor as it has lost many of the top leaders.”

Hisomuddin said PAS should be prepared for the worst result ever in Johor, including the loss of much of its deposit.

PAS will contest 20 parliamentary and 41 state seats in Johor. Bernama reported that PAS will contest 150 parliament and 375 state seats nationwide.

In the last elections, PAS won four of the 31 state seats and none of the eight parliamentary seats it contested. Parit Yanni lawmaker Aminolhuda Hassan has since quit PAS to join splinter party Amanah.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said the poor turnout showed PAS was losing support in the western and southern states.

“PAS no longer has the support of the general public. This support has gone to Pakatan Harapan,” said Mazlan.

But Labis commissioner Salleh Abdullah said PAS’ decision to contest the elections on its own meant it could contest as many seats they want.

“By going it alone, we can contest as many seats as we want in the elections,” said Salleh.

PAS Pagoh candidate Ahmad Nawfal Mahfodz said that PAS was able to contest the most number of seats was already an achievement in itself.

Before the start of the ceramah, around 50 people prayed for PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to succeed in his suit against Sarawak Report in a solat hajat, as instructed to do by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

The other candidates introduced were Nasharudin Awang (Tenang), Normala Sudirman, (Pemanis), Sarchu Sawal (Labis), Muhammad Nur Iqbal Abdul Razak (Bukit Kepong) and Captain (R) Najib Lee (Bukit Pasir) and Khairul Faizi Ahmad Kamil (Segamat and Jementah).

The ceramah was also attended by Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia Mohd Badri Abd Rahman and PAS Johor state commissioner Abdullah Hussain.

Abdullah said he was the 11th speaker last night and it was a “historical” event.

“By speaking here in this stadium i feel that we have already won.” – April 30, 20130