PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim today described Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s victory in the Kemaman by-election as something that may ease the country’s political temperature.

He said this is due to Samsuri’s moderate image compared the extremist stance the PAS leadership tends to take.

“From the national perspective, it (the victory) may provide some sort of relief because of the more moderate image (of Ahmad Samsuri)… hopefully it will also ease the country’s sizzling political temperature,” he told reporters after opening the National Technical Profession Day 2023 celebration in Putrajaya, today.

Anwar also congratulated Samsuri and hoped that the Terengganu menteri besar would be able to carry out his new MP role well.

Last Saturday, the PAS-led Terengganu government maintained status quo in Kemaman with Samsuri winning the parliamentary seat with a 37,220-vote majority. He garnered 64,998 votes, defeating Barisan Nasional candidate Gen (Rtd) Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor who obtained 27,778 votes.

Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said a meeting between the leaders of PH and Umno was held yesterday regarding the outcome of the Kemaman by-election and that he was satisfied. – Bernama, December 5, 2023.