PAS could have named someone else to stand in Kemaman but picked Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as its candidate as the Islamist party readied itself to serve a bigger agenda than just to win the by-election, pundits said. 

They said PAS could win easily in the parliamentary seat even if they did not name the Terengganu menteri besar, with the party, frequently associated with religious scholars, ready to introduce a professional figure.

The by-election saw a straight fight between Barisan Nasional candidate former army chief Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Samsuri representing PAS. 

It was held following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on September 26, which annulled the victory of PAS candidate Che Alias Hamid in last year’s general election.  

A total of 141,790 voters in the constituency were eligible to vote in the by-election. They included 387 policemen, six members of the military and three of their spouses, as well as 12 overseas voters. 

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said PAS was not looking to just win the by-election, but to also name and promote one of its prime minister candidates.

“It was a strategic move by PAS. PAS is in the midst of introducing competent and able young leaders. 

“There are clear signs of internal struggle in Bersatu when it comes to the PM candidate but in PAS, it is intact. They are loyal to the party and would not rebel against any decision.

“They can just choose anybody to stand in Kemaman and win, but they chose Dr Sam (Samsuri) because they have a bigger agenda: to carry the party to a national level,” said Hisommudin. 

In bagging the seat for PAS, Samsuri polled 64,998 votes while BN’s Raja Mohamed Affandi polled 27,778. 

The 70.1% vote share is a significant increase from the 58.11% Perikatan Nasional achieved in last year’s polls.

There were 428 spoiled votes.

The Election Commission pegged voter turnout at 65.7%.

Dr Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, who held a similar view, said with the win, PAS will continue with its narrative for the next general election by using Samsuri as its poster boy. 

He added PAS, not Bersatu, has a better chance of helming Putrajaya, owing to the Islamist party’s momentum. 

“Rumours have it that Dr Sam was not the candidate, but when the future prime minister candidate narrative was played, PAS saw Dr Sam as the best candidate. He is cool and more professional as opposed to (Kedah Menteri Besar) Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor. 

“Even though Bersatu is dominant in Perikatan Nasional, PAS has better momentum. They have a poster boy for the general election. 

“With the win, they will continue to play the narrative that their future PM will come from Terengganu. They have a bright future with Dr Sam,” said Mazlan. 

The 53-year-old politician is not your average “Ustaz” from PAS where he is typically clad in suit and tie for official state events as well as modern baju Melayu with pants when meeting residents.  

The menteri besar holds a doctorate in aero engine ignition and combustion from the University of Leeds. 

He was also an aerospace lecturer at Universiti Putra Malaysia before joining politics as political secretary to current PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.  

The Ru Rendang assemblyman survived stage 3 nasopharyngeal cancer and underwent various rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. 

On the last day of the campaign, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Samsuri has what it takes to become the country’s prime minister in the future.

“In Kemaman, we have a candidate who is truly qualified to be the prime minister,” Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying. – December 3, 2023.