MOHD Shamsul scooted the seat forward so that a potential customer could get a better feel of the steering wheel.

But when the price was revealed – RM112,000 – enthusiasm quickly faded to disinterest.

“Belum lagi (Not yet),” said the pick-up truck salesman after the once-prospective client walked away at the gleaming autoshow.

This would not have looked out of place at an Umno event. However, this was a PAS function in Terengganu.

Some 200,000 people are expected to converge over a two-day period at Pantai Tok Jembal, Kuala Nerus, for what PAS calls “Fastaqim 2.0”, which began today.

It is a marked increase from the 60,000 supporters who turned up in Kota Baru, Kelantan, in 2015 at the party’s first “uprising” rally, which aims to unite the party and prove that it is a political force to be reckoned with.

However, the gathering this year has taken on a carnival-like atmosphere, with more than 400 food and trinket stalls ready to service the thousands who turn up.

Interspersed between religious dialogues and sermons were jet ski races; fishing, archery and coconut “bowling” events; treasure hunts; and lucky draws – elements that were missing in the last fastaqim.

The carnival-like atmosphere was unheard of five years ago, but this is now, when Umno is no longer PAS’ mortal enemy.

Organising chairman Nasrudin Hasan said this year’s fastaqim, which was called just after Pakatan Harapan broke off formal ties with the Islamist party, was to galvanise support for the party.

“We are leading the uprising of Islamic warriors to face the next general election.”

Non-party members were also drawn to the event.

Aizat and his three student friends had travelled from Perak by car.

“We want to show solidarity as we believe this could lead to Islamic governance in the country.”

Another gathering held on the same two days at the nearby Sultan Mirzan Stadium is Media Prima’s TV3 Jom Heboh.

The gatherings are a boon to the visibly lacklustre economy of Kuala Terengganu, where unsold shoplot units remain a common sight.

“All the hotels and homestays are booked due to the two events,” said Aiman, a front desk manager at a hotel in Batu Burok.

“We don’t know who is going where. There seems to be an equal number of people at both places.”

Asri K., a Grab driver, said PAS was learning from Umno.

“PAS is strong here. But we don’t know who will win in the election as Umno is also strong here.

“Umno is known to carry out these types of events. They organise one every two weeks. They give people food, prizes, lucky draws. That’s how they take care of the people.”

Syamsul Arif Ahmad Mokhtar, a branch manager at a car dealership, said such gatherings did little to lift Kuala Terengganu’s slumping economy.

“It’s very bad here. Nobody wants to start a new business. There’s no demand and the market isn’t open. They have closed off the economy to outsiders.” – September 29, 2017.