AMANAH is prepared to challenge its arch nemesis, PAS, for control of Kelantan and Terengganu, having just been allotted the most number of seats in those states by Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) leadership.

In Kelantan, Amanah was allotted 23 of 45 state seats while in Terengganu, the party will contest 11 of the 32 state seats.

Candidates from Amanah, which split from PAS following internal disputes in 2015, will contest for three seats in Kelantan held by prominent PAS leaders

The seats are Pasir Pekan, held by PAS Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakub; Pancor, held by Deputy Menteri Besar Nik Mohamed Amar and Meranti, held by state executive councillor Nasrudin Daud.

In Terengganu, Amanah will contest for the Marang parliamentary seat and Rhu Rendang state seat, both held by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Kelantan PH chairman Husam Musa told reporters last night that two candidates are being considered, both former Umno members, to contest the Marang seat.

“We have enlisted ex-Umno leaders who have joined Amanah to contest Marang, as well as for the Bukit Payong state seat (in Terengganu).

“But the final decision is with the (PH) presidential council,” said Terengganu Amanah communications director Zubir Mohamad.

Seat negotiations in Kelantan and Terengganu were resolved by state PH leaders after earlier talks failed at the national level.

The Malaysian Insight learned that in Terengganu, the seats were split between Amanah (11), PKR (11) and Bersatu (10).

Amanah will contest the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat in addition to the Batu Burok and Wakaf Mempelam state seats. PKR will contest the Bandar parliamentary seat and Bersatu at the Ladang parliamentary seat.

In Kelantan, Amanah will contest 23 state seats, with Bersatu (14) and PKR (9) contesting the rest.

Whether DAP will contest in Kelantan has yet to be decided. – March 9, 2018.