TERENGGANU will remain backwards like its neighbour Kelantan, if PAS is given the mandate to govern the state again, state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Said said.

He said this was because Terengganu hasn’t seen any significant changes or progress since PAS took over the state from BN after the 2018 general election.

“No development, nothing (under PAS’ leadership). The people of Kelantan have no issue with this because they can look for jobs in Kuala Lumpur. However, the people of Terengganu do not like going out (of the state to find jobs). Look at Kelantan, the water issue has not been resolved for nearly 30 years,” he said.

“In the 15th general election, the people gave PAS the chance with an 8-0 victory (winning all the Terengganu parliamentary seats), and what did they get? There are no ministers or deputy ministers from this state, and there is no allocation for the state. Who loses? The people lose with no development,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after launching the Terengganu BN election machinery, at Dataran Seri Limbat, Marang last night.

Ahmad said Terengganu folk will enjoy greater benefits, especially in terms of development allocations, if the state government is aligned with the federal government.

“That is why we want the people of Terengganu to (vote for) change in this state election and give the mandate to BN. We have many things planned.

“What have the people of Marang gotten from PAS rule in Terengganu, despite having two menteri besar from Marang (Abdul Hadi Awang and Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar)?

“We hope voters are aware of this matter and will no longer fall for (money politics). We want development for Terengganu, which has great tourism potential,” he said.

On the distribution of seats between BN and Pakatan Harapan in the state, Ahmad, who is also the incumbent Kijal assemblyman, said the party leadership has yet to make a final decision.

Earlier, Ahmad reportedly said negotiations among the parties in the unity government on the seat distribution at the state level for the 32 Terengganu state constituencies had been held three times before being handed over to the party’s top leadership to decide.

PKR elections director Ahmad Sabri Ali was previously reported to have asked BN to consider seven seats for PKR to contest in the state elections. – Bernama, June 23, 2023.